Advantage Communications, Inc. Selected as Agency of Record for Arkansas Department of Health HIV/STD/Hepatitis C Section

LITTLE ROCK, AR – September 29, 2011 – Advantage Communications, Inc. has been selected as “Agency of Record” for the Arkansas Department of Health HIV/STD Hepatitis C Section. As agency of record, Advantage Communications, Inc. will work with the Section to develop and execute a statewide public education campaign encouraging Arkansans to understand the risks of HIV/AIDS, prevent the spread of the disease and seek regular testing. 

According to the Arkansas Department of Health as of December 2009, 5,793 people were living with HIV/AIDS in Arkansas. The number of new diagnoses of HIV infection reported to the Arkansas Department of Health in 2009 was 338. Of these new cases, 79% were male and 57% were between the ages of 30 and 49 years. HIV/AIDS has also disproportionately affected minorities – specifically African Americans and Hispanic Americans – on both a national and state level. As of 2009, 49% of new HIV infections were among African Americans (42%) and Hispanic Americans (7%). 

“We have come to a cross-road in our HIV/AIDS communications efforts in the State of Arkansas,” explained Tina Long, Section Chief of the Arkansas Department of Health HIV/STD Hepatitis C Section. “There is no better time than the present to be more aggressive with Arkansans about understanding EVERYTHING there is to know about HIV/AIDS and how it may be prevented. We must work together as one unit to combat this disease to substantially improve the health of Arkansans within and outside of our communities. It is an uphill battle but with our new partner, Advantage Communications, we expect to move forward.” 

“We are simply humbled to be a partner to the Arkansas Department of Health HIV/STD Hepatitis C Section,” said Michael Steele, President and CEO of Advantage Communications, Inc. “This is no new territory for our agency as we have been engaged in the fight against the spread of HIV/AIDS for several years now, including our work with Sheryl Lee Ralph, national AIDS activist and others. We look forward to decreasing the spread of HIV/AIDS and increasing the number of supporters across our State.” 

For more information about this statewide HIV/AIDS campaign, contact Advantage Communications at 501.374.2220.