Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is spread by bodily fluids which attack the immune system and over time can diminish the body’s ability to fight off infection and disease [1].  This virus has no cure and can affect people of any social and economic status. HIV can have negative connotations particularly since it does not have a cure and its reported origins in the gay community. However, when HIV affects public figures it can bring attention and interest in the disease to a greater audience.  In an information technology savvy world, such attention can manifest itself as hashtag phrases on social media or as Google searches for “HIV”. It would be of interest if an event such as the World Cup, would have any effect on Google searches for the term “HIV”.  The World Cup is a tournament style soccer competition hosted by a selected country occurring every four years with men’s national teams qualifying to compete and is overseen by soccer’s global governing body, Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA). With this competition drawing immense international interest and in an effort to explore public health corollaries associated with the World Cup, this paper seeks to find if there is a difference between Google searches for the term “HIV” before and after the start of the World Cup competition.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) causes the body’s immune system to attack itself which can lead to infections and diseases that currently has no cure [1].  HIV impacts the individual, their families, and the communities where these individuals reside.  Those with HIV oftentimes come from low to middle income countries with Sub-Saharan Africa being the most affected where 25.6 million people are living with HIV and where 66% of new HIV infections occurred in 2015[1]. Efforts to mitigate the burden of HIV include aid from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and President’s Emergency Plan for Aids Relief (PEPFAR).  These organizations have goals to save the lives of those suffering from HIV/AIDs around the world, to end extreme poverty, and to enable societies to realize their potential [2.3]. This paper seeks to find out if there is a correlation between United States Federal aid towards HIV and prevalence of HIV in Sub-Saharan Africa.