Serendipia Posted 4 hours ago Share Posted 4 hours ago Image:Ā The New Zealand Herpes Foundation Ā The New Zealand Herpes Foundation (NZHF) has launched a bold campaign titled The Best Place in the World to Have Herpes to tackle the stigma surrounding the virus. Developed with creative agenciesĀ includingĀ Motion Sickness, FINCH, ED.l, DigPR, and TRA, the initiative aims to position New Zealand as a global leader in herpes destigmatization. Ā Launched on Global Herpes Awareness Day, the campaign focuses on the virusās most harmful impact: the social stigma it carries. Oral or genital herpes affects up to 80% of New Zealanders at some point in their lives, yet theĀ shame surrounding the condition can lead toĀ seriousĀ psychological challenges. NZHF research shows that nearly 30% of those diagnosed with herpes have experienced depression or suicidal thoughts. Ā Image:Ā The New Zealand Herpes Foundation Ā At the heart of the campaign is theĀ Herpes Destigmatisation Course, a series of fun and informative videos featuring well-known New Zealanders such as Sir Ashley Bloomfield, Sir Graham Henry, and comedian Angella Dravid. These accessible lessons use humor to simplify complex information, helping to dismantle myths and misconceptions about herpes. Ā Claire Hurst NZRN, QSM, a founding trustee of the NZHF and current helpline counselor, highlighted the emotional toll stigma could have. āWe have fielded thousands of calls to our support helpline, with many people having received a diagnosis in deep distress,ā Hurst explained. āIn many cases the social stigma is much more damaging than the virus.ā Ā Image:Ā The New Zealand Herpes Foundation Ā The campaign also incorporates aĀ Herpes Stigma Index leaderboard to encourage public involvement.Ā By engagingĀ with the campaign online and watching the educational videos, participants help reduce the stigma and push New Zealand higher on the global leaderboard. Currently, New Zealand ranks 8th, but the ultimate goal is to become the most accepting place in the world for people living with herpes. Ā The campaign has received widespread praise for its refreshing, humorous approach to a sensitive subject. āWe have tried to land a stigma breaking campaign for over 20 years and have never managed to crack it. We are simply floored by this campaign and couldnāt be happier with how it has navigated this challenging topic and made it approachable, kiwi and fun,ā the NZHF shared. Ā Ā Through public engagement, humor, and education, New Zealand is reshaping the conversation around common health issues and setting a new benchmark for public health campaigns. This initiative aims to replace stigma with empathy, proving that open dialogue can transform how health challenges are understood and addressed. Ā https://lbbonline.com/news/motion-sickness-wants-to-make-new-zealand-the-best-place-in-the-world-to-get-herpes https://www.nzherald.co.nz/lifestyle/herpes-graham-henry-ashley-bloomfield-and-other-famous-kiwis-front-new-campaign/T4AZC5T225EXLAIN7ZEVB72WXE/ https://www.shots.net/news/view/kiwis-need-herpes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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