Actor Charlie Sheen revealed on TV in 2015 that he was HIV positive. (Photo : YouTube/Doctor Oz)
Google searches for HIV-related information hit a record high in the United States after actor Charlie Sheen's public disclosure of being HIV positive. Recent research in a medical journal is calling the revelation the "Sheen Effect."
Those who conducted the study discovered that Google searches for HIV-related information had increased by more than two million inquiries. Investigators matched statistic soon after the star of "Two And A Half Men" made the announcement on U.S. TV in 2015, BBC reported.
Researchers who are calling this the "Sheen Effect" say HIV activists could further capitalize on the star's revelation to raise more awareness of the condition. The findings were published in the Journal of the American Medical Association Of Internal Medicine.
Prof. John Ayers, from San Diego State University, told the journal that Sheen's disclosure could benefit public health. Ayers said Sheen's celebrity status has the potential to encourage others to learn more about HIV and HIV prevention, although any diagnosis is tragic.
In relative terms, the HIV-related searches were more than 400 percent higher on the day of Sheen's disclosure, the Journal revealed. This includes searches for information on HIV.
Condom searches, including those such as "buy condoms," increased by 75 percent. Searches on HIV symptoms, such as "HIV signs" and "HIV testing" increased in searches by more than 500 percent and 200 percent respectively. The journal recorded these figures on the day of Sheen's disclosure.
According to media reports, Sheen told TV host Matt Lauer in 2015 that he had paid millions to keep people who discovered his condition from going public with it. At the time, Sheen said he was compelled to go public with the disclosure in a bid to stop the onslaught and a barrage of attacks.
Meanwhile, Sheen is not the only Hollywood celebrity to draw attention to health issues. Issues of breast cancer and breast removal increased after "Maleficent" star Angelina Jolie underwent similar surgeries.
The death of TV star Jade Goody drew increased attention to cervical cancer. Goody's death increased awareness on the importance of early screening for cervical cancer.
Watch the clip below as Sheen discusses his condition with Doctor Oz:
