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Viola Davis Teams Up With GSK to Raise Awareness of Shingles Risk Among Adults 50+

HEALTH & BEAUTY

10/9/20262 min read

Viola Davis and Dr. Jen Caudle discuss the impact of shingles and the importance of knowing your risk.

Award-winning actress and producer Viola Davis has partnered with GSK to help educate adults aged 50 and older about their risk of developing shingles, a condition that affects approximately one million people in the United States each year. The initiative is part of GSK's new educational campaign, "Shingles, actually", which aims to encourage older adults to take a more proactive approach to understanding and managing their health risks as they age.

The campaign also marks the first time Davis has publicly shared her personal experience with shingles, offering a firsthand perspective on the impact the disease can have on daily life.

Viola Davis Opens Up About Her Experience With Shingles

As part of the campaign, Davis revealed that her bout with shingles was both physically painful and disruptive. She described the pain as a "9 out of 10," noting that it prevented her from working and participating in everyday activities. Her experience underscored an important message at the center of the campaign: even individuals who prioritize their health and maintain active lifestyles can still face an increased risk of shingles as they age.

Davis said she was surprised to learn that age itself is a significant risk factor because the immune system naturally becomes less effective over time. Like many adults over 50, she did not initially recognize that simply getting older could increase her chances of developing the disease.

Understanding the Risk of Shingles

Shingles is caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus, the same virus responsible for chickenpox. According to information highlighted in the campaign, approximately 99% of U.S. adults over the age of 50 carry the virus in their bodies, although not everyone will develop shingles.

Health experts emphasize that aging is one of the most important risk factors. As immune function declines with age, the dormant virus may reactivate, leading to a painful, blistering rash that can last for weeks. In some cases, shingles can result in long-term complications that continue long after the rash has healed.

Experts Stress the Importance of Prevention

The campaign features insights from physician Dr. Jen Caudle, who highlights the broader impact shingles can have on quality of life. She notes that while many people think of shingles as simply a rash, the associated pain can interfere with work, family responsibilities, and everyday activities. Some individuals may also experience complications that persist for months.

Dr. Caudle encourages adults aged 50 and older to discuss their individual risk factors and prevention options with healthcare professionals. The goal is to help people make informed decisions before shingles becomes a serious health issue.

A Broader Conversation About Healthy Aging

Beyond raising awareness about shingles, GSK's campaign seeks to normalize conversations about aging and the health challenges that can accompany it. The company says research and consumer insights revealed that many adults over 50 feel younger than their age and may overlook health risks associated with growing older. The "Shingles, actually" initiative was created to bridge that gap and encourage more open dialogue between patients and healthcare providers.

Joining Davis in the campaign are several advocates and public figures who are sharing their own experiences with shingles to help educate the public and reduce misconceptions surrounding the condition.

Increasing Awareness Through Personal Stories

By sharing her experience, Viola Davis hopes to encourage adults over 50 to take a closer look at their health risks and have meaningful conversations with their doctors. Through personal storytelling and educational outreach, the campaign aims to remind people that aging well includes staying informed about conditions such as shingles and understanding the steps available to help reduce risk.

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