Which one is the better role model? They’re both scary to look at and associated with diseases, but the truth is Phil has the more positive image.

A 2002 San Francisco advertising campaign which encouraged men to get tested for syphilis using two cartoon characters, Healthy Penis and Phil the Syphilis Sore, has been called a success by a recent study.

One can only guess at which of the two lovable characters was the actual reason for the campaign’s success, but somehow I think that a giant walking puss-filled sore would have been more effective than a goofy Barney-like penis with big round balls and a toothy grin.

I haven’t seen the full report, but it appears that the campaign was rated a success based on the fact that 40 to 60 percent of the people that responded to the survey and had been tested for syphilis said they were aware of the ads prior to testing.

That’s about as logical as claiming that since the majority of pedophiles have heard of Michael Jackson, that listening to We Are The World turned them into pedophiles.

I will admit I’d be a lot more comfortable walking in a parade with Healthy Penis and Phil the Syphilis Sore than Michael Jackson, but I would like to see a study on the effects that a giant Barney penis had on children. I don’t think that saving a few gay men from syphilis justifies the fact that now there are girls in San Francisco who will grow up thinking every man they ever have sex with is inadequate.

Source: Associated Press

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