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Sunday Is National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day

February 7 is National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NBHAAD), an opportunity to raise awareness about the disproportionate burden of HIV/AIDS among African Americans.According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), African Americans accounted for 45% of new HIV infections in 2013, with young black gay and bisexual men being the most heavily affected.

Resources

• National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day website
• AIDS.gov: National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
• AIDSinfo: National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
• CDC: National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
• CDC: HIV Among African Americans
• CDC: HIV Among African American Gay and Bisexual Men
• Twitter hashtags #NBHAAD, #NBHAAD2016

New HIV cases among black women declined by about 40% over the past decade. While new diagnoses among black gay and bi men rose by 22% during from to 2014, they have leveling off, with a less than 1% increase, during the past 5 years. Young black gay and bi men (age 13-24) experienced a steep 87% increase over the entire decade, but a 2% decline between 2010 and 2014.

Despite having the highest rates of new infection, African Americans are least likely to receive consistent, ongoing medical care, according to a new CDC report published in the February 5 Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. 

"CDC has been working for many years to eliminate the HIV disparities that exist within the black community," said Eugene McCray, MD, director of CDC’s Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention. "While we are seeing signs of success, we must continue our focus on prevention strategies that will have the greatest impact on African American communities and the nation overall. A key area of focus is ensuring that people living with HIV are diagnosed early, quickly linked to care and receive consistent care that improves their lives and protects the health of their partners."

2/5/16

Sources

S Dasgupta, AM Oster, J Li, and I Hall. Disparities in Consistent Retention in HIV Care -- 11 States and the District of Columbia, 2011-2013. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report 65(4);77-82. February 5, 2016.

CDC. Despite progress, persistent disparities prolong HIV epidemic among African Americans. Press release. February 4, 2016.