Charlie Sheen has established himself as one of Hollywood’s most notorious figures due to widespread reports about severe substance abuse issues and allegations of domestic violence. However, the infamous actor also had a surprisingly positive social impact when he revealed that he was HIV positive.

Although Sheen had been diagnosed with HIV in 2011, the actor maintained silence on the subject and kept his diagnosis private until 2015. However, Sheen had to break his silence in 2015 when he publicly revealed that he was HIV positive. According to the actor, his declaration was in retaliation to multiple extortion efforts and smear campaigns.

"It’s a hard three letters to absorb," Sheen reflected in an interview. "It’s a turning point in one’s life. I have to put a stop to this onslaught, this barrage of attacks and of sub-truths and very harmful and mercurial stories that are about me, threatening the health of so many others that couldn’t be further from the truth."

When he was first diagnosed, the actor told a few people close to him about his condition. Even though he had expected them to keep it a secret, a breach led to the information becoming discussed in gossip columns and online forums. Sheen revealed that he had to pay more than $10 million just to keep the condition a secret for a few years.

"What people forget is that that’s money they’re taking from my children," the actor added, while talking about the extortion. "I trusted them and they were deep in my inner circle, and I thought they could be helpful. My trust turned to their treason. That’s my goal. That’s not my only goal. I think I release myself from this prison today."

Sheen’s public declaration played a massive part in changing the public perception of HIV. Now known as ‘The Charlie Sheen Effect’, Sheen’s revelation led to the greatest surge in HIV-related Google searches in the US. According to the data collected, there were 2.75 million additional searches which contributed to an increase in public awareness.

Out of those searches, 1.25 million searches were directly related to public health issues such as the use of condoms, HIV symptoms, etc. In addition, Sheen’s interview corresponded with a 95% increase in HIV home-test kits. Some studies even concluded that Sheen’s interview did more for HIV awareness than events organised by the United Nations.

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