The Challenge
For nearly 20 years, Octane has partnered with DC Health to support the District’s more than 700,000 residents navigate critical conversations about sexual health, with a sustained focus on HIV/STI prevention, awareness, and engagement. During that time, the communications landscape and the science surrounding HIV/STI prevention and treatment has significantly evolved.
What began with DC Takes On HIV, a bold public call to action encouraging residents to get informed, access resources, and engage in honest dialogue, has evolved into Sexual + Being, a more holistic, sex-positive platform that reflects modern approaches to sexual health and personal empowerment.
Our Approach
Central to our approach is a data driven, sex-positive, stigma-free voice that encourages open dialogue, empowers residents to take charge of their sexual health, and connects them to trusted resources and services. Through strong community partnerships, culturally relevant messaging, targeted digital and social engagement, creative content, and on-the-ground outreach, Octane ensures DC Health remains a trusted and visible voice.
We continue building on the strength of the Sexual + Being platform while adapting communications to evolving public health priorities, new prevention and treatment protocols, and shifting audience behaviors. Our integrated campaigns combine paid, earned, shared, and community outreach with multilingual, audience-segmented messaging designed to reach residents where they live, work, and seek information.
Gallery
