Interactions

Hollywood Calling

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Christopher J. Gearon's article ["Getting Into the Act," Jan. 9], describing how health interest groups and Hollywood are working together to get health information to the public, contained a significant oversight. I was disappointed to read, "Health experts took the first steps toward the federal initiative now linking Hollywood and top health agencies in 1994, when the CDC sought the help of the entertainment industry in boosting HIV-AIDS awareness."

In truth, the Entertainment Industries Council, a nonprofit organization based in Reston and Los Angeles, took those first steps back in 1983, a full decade earlier.

It is truly unfortunate that one of the D.C. area's most interesting and important nonprofit organizations so often goes unnoticed by local press. Among EIC's accomplishments are the Prism Awards, the only nationally televised awards show serving the public interest by encouraging depictions of health information. For nearly a quarter of a century, EIC has connected experts from federal and private agencies with entertainment creators to facilitate incorporation of accurate, science-based information on health and social issues into entertainment programming. EIC is indeed the "granddaddy" of all such activities and continues to be the leader in this field.

David Conner

Writer-Editor & Publications Manager

Entertainment Industries Council

Reston