February 7 marks the 12th annual National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NBHAAD), a national community mobilization initiative to boost HIV awareness and advance HIV prevention, testing, and treatment among blacks in the United States.
Among all racial/ethnic groups, African Americans bear the greatest burden of HIV in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 1 in 16 black men and 1 in 32 black women will be diagnosed with HIV infection during their lifetimes. In 2009, blacks made up 14% of the US population but accounted for nearly half (44%) of all new HIV infections. Recent CDC data showed an alarming 48% increase in new HIV infections from 2006 to 2009 among young, black men who have sex with men (MSM), aged 13 to 29 years. Black women, most of whom are infected through heterosexual contact, are far more affected by HIV than women of other races. The rate of new HIV infections for black women is more than 15 times as high as that of white women, and more than 3 times as high as that of Latino women.
Today, we have many more opportunities than ever before to reduce the disproportionate burden that black men, women, and young adults bear. Working together with state and local public health agencies, black communities, and other partners in the public and private sectors, CDC has stepped up efforts to address the HIV epidemic in black communities. One of these efforts is National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NBHAAD). NBHAAD is directed, planned, and organized by the Strategic Leadership Council, a group of organizations that partner with CDC to mobilize communities across the country to fight HIV and lessen its impact on black communities.


For 12 years, February 7 has been designated as National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NBHAAD). This national community mobilization initiative motivates blacks to
Get educated about the basic facts related to HIV and AIDS, including how HIV is spread; this information is available on CDC's HIV website. Get tested to find out their HIV status. Knowing your status saves lives! Get involved in their local communities to raise HIV awareness and fight stigma associated with the disease. Get treated if they are living with HIV or are newly diagnosed.The theme for 2012, I Am My Brother's/Sister's Keeper: Fight HIV/AIDS!, is centered around making sure that all black men, women, and young adults, regardless of sexual orientation, economic class, or educational level, see themselves as part of the solution to the HIV epidemic in black communities.
Learn about HIV and AIDS. Educate yourself, friends, and family about HIV and AIDS and what you can do to protect yourself. Get tested for HIV. To find a testing site near you, call 1-800-CDC-INFO (232-4636), visit http://www.hivtest.org/, or, on your cell phone, text your ZIP code to KNOW IT (566948). Speak out against stigma, homophobia, racism, and other forms of discrimination associated with HIV and AIDS. Donate time and money to HIV and AIDS organizations that work within black communities.Promote NBHAAD within your organization. Organizations and agencies across the nation are getting involved to support NBHAAD. HIV awareness and testing events will provide thousands of blacks with the important information they need to protect their health and the health of their loved ones, and to get involved. Encourage employees to get involved in NBHAAD activities. Educate staff about HIV and AIDS. Develop HIV and AIDS policies for the workplaceStay abreast of campaign news, updates and participate in the conversation.
Join the conversation about HIV and what can be done to prevent it.
CDC works 24/7 saving lives, protecting people from health threats, and saving money to have a more secure nation. A US federal agency, CDC helps make the healthy choice the easy choice by putting science and prevention into action. CDC works to help people live longer, healthier and more productive lives.
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