February 6, 2017

February 7 Is National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day

Eric Brus READ TIME: 2 MIN.

National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NBHAAD) is being observed this year on Tuesday, February 7. As has been the case for the past several years, the theme for NBHAAD in 2017 is: "I Am My Brother's/Sister's Keeper: FIGHT HIV/AIDS!"

According to NBHAAD organizers, the primary purpose of the event is to encourage Black Americans to:

  • Start talking -- learn the facts about HIV and AIDS;

  • Get tested for HIV;

  • Protect themselves and their partners through HIV prevention; and

  • Get treated and remain in care if they are already living with HIV.

    To help you and your patients or clients prepare for and mark NBHAAD, we have compiled an annotated list of online resources focusing on HIV/AIDS in the Black/African American community.

    Fact Sheets and Reports

    HIV Among African Americans. Fact sheet from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

    HIV in the United States: At a Glance. This CDC report discusses the high rates of HIV infection seen among African Americans.

    Diagnoses of HIV Infection and AIDS in the United States and Dependent Areas, 2015. This 114-page
    CDC report includes detailed information about HIV and AIDS cases and deaths among Blacks/African Americans and other racial/ethnic groups. Breakdowns are also provided by age, gender, HIV transmission category, and geographic region.

    Black Americans and HIV/AIDS. This three-page fact sheet from the Kaiser Family Foundation was last updated in 2014. It provides detailed information on HIV/AIDS among Black Americans in the following topic areas: snapshot of the epidemic, key trends and current cases, women and young people, gay and bisexual men, HIV transmission, geographic distribution of cases, access to and use of health care, HIV testing, and opinions about HIV/AIDS.

    For a list of events in your area, visit https://nationalblackaidsday.org/events/


    Eric Brus writes about HIV policy. His HIV/AIDS Disparities Report is produced by the New England AIDS Education and Training Center Minority AIDS Initiative Project. The full version is available here.

    by Eric Brus

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