Close X
Thursday, November 28, 2024
ADVT 
Hollywood

Charlie Sheen's HIV Disclosure Had Big Online Impact: Study

Darpan News Desk IANS, 22 Feb, 2016 10:24 AM
    CHICAGO — Actor Charlie Sheen was called a lot of things during his bad-boy days. Until now, public health promoter wasn't one of them.
     
    Sheen's revelation that he's infected with the AIDS virus prompted the greatest number of HIV-related Google searches recorded in the United States since 2004, and more than 1 million of them involved public health-related information.
     
    That's according to a new study from San Diego State University research professor John Ayers and colleagues, who examined the impact of the announcement Nov. 17 by the former star of TV's "Two and a Half Men."
     
    "While no one should be forced to reveal HIV status, Sheen's disclosure may benefit public health by helping many people learn more about HIV infection and prevention," the researchers wrote in a report published Monday in JAMA Internal Medicine.
     
    They analyzed Google trends data along with news trends from a Bloomberg LP terminal system from 2004 through three weeks after Sheen's announcement.
     
    Given historic trends, there were almost 3 million more searches about HIV on Nov. 17 than expected, and more than 1 million were related to important public health messages because they included search terms for condoms, HIV symptoms or HIV testing. The study doesn't list the total number of HIV-related searches that day on Google.
     
     
     
    The researchers also found there were more than 6,500 HIV-related news stories — not counting duplicates from the same news source — on Google News alone on Nov. 17, reversing a decade-long decline in news reporting about the virus.
     
    Sheen's tumultuous professional and personal life has made news before — for public outbursts, drug and alcohol use and prostitution. The study didn't look at the online impact of those headlines.
     
    The researchers noted that former NBA star Magic Johnson sparked increased HIV awareness when he disclosed his own infection, in 1991, before the Internet was so ubiquitous. They said public health authorities could leverage the "Charlie Sheen effect" to keep the spotlight on HIV awareness, and that Sheen's disclosure could potentially have a greater impact because of how connected people are to information.
     
    About 1 million people nationwide are HIV-infected but government estimates say about 150,000 of them don't know it — emphasizing the importance of better awareness, Ayers said.
     
    A journal editorial says public health authorities face a challenge when blockbuster celebrity health news surfaces, and need to make sure useful health information is easily accessible to consumers at such moments.

    MORE Hollywood ARTICLES

    I Get Sexually Assaulted Constantly: Amber Rose

    Model-actress Amber Rose says she gets sexually assaulted all the time.

    I Get Sexually Assaulted Constantly: Amber Rose

    George Clooney's Drunken Disaster

    Actor George Clooney thought it would be a good idea to audition to play a drunk character while intoxicated, but his plan didn't work.

    George Clooney's Drunken Disaster

    Kate Hudson On 'Pretty Happy' And Her 'mom Buddies' In The Lifestyles World

    Kate Hudson On 'Pretty Happy' And Her 'mom Buddies' In The Lifestyles World
    As Kate Hudson establishes her own lifestyles empire with a line of athletic wear and a new book, she feels a camaraderie, not competition, with other actors who've made a similar move. 

    Kate Hudson On 'Pretty Happy' And Her 'mom Buddies' In The Lifestyles World

    Kesha breaks silence following court ruling

    Kesha breaks silence following court ruling
    Singer Kesha has thanked her supporters for their kind words after she was told she can't break her contract with producer Dr. Luke.

    Kesha breaks silence following court ruling

    Ryan Reynolds spoofs Kanye West

    Ryan Reynolds spoofs Kanye West
    Actor Ryan Reynolds, in character as Deadpool, spoofed rapper Kanye West’s "Saturday Night Live" backstage rant in a new video.

    Ryan Reynolds spoofs Kanye West

    Khloe writes about avoiding 'toxic' people

    Reality TV star Khloé Kardashian has shared a quote via Instagram that talks about toxic people.

    Khloe writes about avoiding 'toxic' people

    PrevNext