The Chicago Department of Public Health's Faces of AIDS project is a compassionate and insightful portrayal of the lives of people struggling with the complexities of a devastating disease. More than 20 years after the first AIDS case was reported, advances in treatment have prolonged and improved the quality of life for people living with HIV/AIDS but contributed to the myth that there is a cure for the disease. This false sense of security, coupled with the fact that individuals have grown tired of adhering to safe sex messages, has resulted in a dangerous level of complacency about the spread of HIV.

The Faces of AIDS consists of a book, photography exhibit, and video that document the personal testimonials of those living with HIV/AIDS in America's Heartland. They illuminate the social, political, and cultural barriers that must be overcome in order for people to take control of their lives and gain access to appropriate healthcare. The project, developed by the Chicago Department of Public Health and supported by the Illinois Department of Public Health in collaboration with ten Midwestern states, seeks to educate, expand awareness, and reinvigorate the public’s commitment to support AIDS prevention, care, and research.

The different components of the Faces of AIDS may be used individually or together to create a powerful educational and dramatic presentation of HIV/AIDS in the 21st century that tackles issues such as fear, denial, homophobia, and racism.