Shrek? Really?

Someone clearly thought using a big green ogre would capture teenagers’ attention, but it’s hard to take health advice seriously when it’s delivered by a DreamWorks character famous for fart jokes and swamp life. The pamphlet is well-meaning, aiming to educate about safe sex, but the Shrek puns—like “He’s OGRE the STD epidemic!”—end up distracting from the actual message.

While humor can be an effective tool in public health communication, this particular approach misses the mark. Instead of starting an important conversation, it might just get laughed off or ignored. The attempt to be relatable turned into a meme-worthy moment that feels more awkward than educational. Sometimes, it’s better to skip the costume and go for clarity.

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