The rampant spread of the HIV/AIDS virus over the past forty years has created the most significant global public health crisis in modern history. Because of the complexity and scale of the epidemic, there is still a lack of worldwide strategies to lead AIDS education. AIDS education in many countries is still shouldered to a great extent by government agencies and grassroots organizations led by community activists who are often motivated local citizens.

Ever since the AIDS epidemic struck, the responsibility of educating the world's public has grown dramatically in significance. In many countries, the poster as a medium of information was unknown before the emergence and identification of the HIV virus. With a disease involving sexuality and sexual behavior (and therefore social and moral issues deeply rooted in culture and tradition), messages to raise awareness and encourage preventative behavior have varied significantly to best serve the intended audience. The poster has played a special role in promoting AIDS awareness and safe sex education across cultures—different aims, messages, visual metaphors, and strategies have strongly influenced the content and design of AIDS posters. These messages can successfully reach specific targeted groups because the poster as a medium is inexpensive and easy to produce locally.