Public Relations Quarterly recognized Surgeon General C. Everett Koop as "Communicator of the Year" in 1988 for his work to inform the public about HIV/AIDS and reframe a then politically charged issue to focus on public health and education. Using a historical perspective, this study examines Koop's communication about AIDS during the 1980s, including press conference remarks, reminiscence notes, and an unprecedented mailing sent to all U.S. households. This study also explores media coverage at the time and framing throughout these materials to determine what lessons can be learned for today’s communication efforts. Two lessons relate to the importance of leadership in media advocacy and prioritizing public health over politics. Parallels are drawn between public relations and health and science communication practice and scholarship, and future research is suggested related to recent government communication surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic.

公共关系季刊1988 年，卫生局局长 C. Everett Koop 因其在向公众宣传 HIV/AIDS 以及重新构建当时具有政治色彩的问题以关注公共卫生和教育方面所做的工作而被评为“年度传播者”。本研究从历史的角度审视了库普在 1980 年代关于艾滋病的交流，包括新闻发布会上的讲话、回忆录和史无前例的寄给所有美国家庭的邮件。本研究还探讨了当时的媒体报道和贯穿这些材料的框架，以确定今天的传播工作可以吸取哪些教训。有两个教训与领导力在媒体宣传和将公共卫生置于政治之上的重要性有关。公共关系与健康和科学传播实践与奖学金之间存在相似之处，