Cultural Approach theory is a very interesting theory and it covers a lot. In real life, this theory can be used to prevent spread of diseases such as AIDS/HIV. Although concerted effort has been made to curb the spread of AIDS thru awareness programs, the infection continued to expand rapidly and serious questions began to emerge as to the efficiency of the efforts being undertaken in combating the illness. Taking a cultural approach means considering a population’s characteristics including lifestyles and beliefs - as essential references to the creation of action plans. This is indispensable if behavior patterns are to be changed on a long-term basis, a vital condition for slowing down or for stopping the expansion of the epidemic, (World Health Organization (WHO)).

The AIDS epidemic, by far has been the most widely discussed disease in social and cultural studies. The attention given to the cultural and linguistic framing of AIDS has been a direct response to the stigmatization faced by those infected. The AIDS metaphors of war, plague, pollution, sin and the like has been employed to describe cause, attitude to sufferer (sinner), and individual and public policy responses (repentance, abstinence, moral education). The significance of metaphor within this process has been widely analyzed with some striking results, for example showing that negative AIDS metaphors can be correlated with the outcome of AIDS-related litigation in the US.

Ways thru which this theory can bring change in our social organizations:

Hip Hop culture: Music/artists can directly reach youth and provoke thinking through its use of language, making this artistic expression an ideal tool to deliver effective prevention messages on HIV/AIDS and have positive effects in the efforts to bring an end to the stigma and discrimination faced by people infected and affected by HIV/AIDS. (WHO/UNAIDS). To highlight this point, I think it was early this year that U2 music artist Bono stepped up his fight against poverty and AIDS by enlisting celebrities to encourage people to get involved in this noble course.

The use of visual art and graphics: The main objectives of these activities would be to develop self-esteem and confidence amongst young people living with HIV/AIDS, as well as to reduce HIV-related discrimination among the general population. To illustrate this point, please click on the link below and then click on the pictures to enlarge the metaphors on these pictures. Some of them where actually featured in TV ads.

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/exhibition/visualculture/hivaidstransmission.html

There was something in the info., above that I couldn’t walk away from and I thought I would to share it with you guys so that you can draw your own conclusions.