National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day

Stay the Course — The Fight Is Not Over!

February 7 is National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NBHAAD). Each year, NBHAAD is a day to recommit to the fight against HIV among blacks/African Americans. Although more needs to be done to increase testing and treatment among this community, we are encouraged by decreasing HIV diagnoses during recent years among many groups of blacks in the United States and elsewhere.

For example, US black women experienced a 20% decrease in HIV diagnoses during 2011–2015. Also, good news is that during the same period, new diagnoses among young black gay and bisexual men ages 13–24 years have stabilized, and diagnoses among black gay and bisexual men ages 45–54 years have decreased by 25%. Nationwide HIV prevention efforts appear to be helping reduce the number of HIV diagnoses among blacks.

Despite this progress, improvements are uneven. Data for 2016 indicate that blacks accounted for 44% of new HIV diagnoses, although they make up only 12% of the U.S. population. Moreover, new HIV diagnoses among black gay and bisexual men ages 25–34 years increased by 30%!

But as this year’s NBHAAD theme reminds us, we must “Stay the Course” and continue our prevention efforts, even when we believe the numbers are encouraging. NBHAAD is an important day, but it is only one day a year. We can do more every day to protect ourselves, our loved ones, and our communities.

What can you do?

Get Tested. Knowing your HIV status is key to keeping you andyour partner healthy. CDC recommends that every person get tested at least once in his or her lifetime, and those at higher risk should be tested at least once a year. You can find a free, fast, and a confidential testing site near you at Get Tested.

Protect Yourself and Your Partner. Today we have many options and tools for preventing HIV infection.

Know Your Risk. You can find out how much HIV risk you have in your life by using CDC’s Risk Reduction Tool.

Learn About PrEP. Talk with your healthcare provider about whether PrEP, the pill that can help prevent HIV, is right for you.

Use Condoms. If you are having sex, talk with your partner about using condoms.

Get and Stay on HIV Treatment. If you are living with HIV and not currently in treatment, see your healthcare provider right away and take your medicine exactly as prescribed. You will be healthier and less likely to give HIV to someone else.

By staying healthy, protecting our loved ones, and getting involved in prevention efforts, we become advocates and role models for healthy behaviors. We must all stay the course to continue making progress in reducing HIV/AIDS in our communities

Hazel D. Dean, ScD, DrPH (hon), FACE is Deputy Director, National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention at Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

HIV/AIDS Awareness ribbons against a black background What is National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day?

February 7 is Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, a national HIV testing and treatment community mobilization initiative targeted at Blacks in the United States.

1. The day was founded by five national organizations and funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 1999 to provide capacity building assistance to Black communities and organizations.

2. The initiative begin in 2000 with these five key organizations: Concerned Black Men, Inc. of Philadelphia; Health Watch Information and Promotion Services, Inc.; Jackson State University – Mississippi Urban Research Center; National Black Alcoholism and Addictions Council; and National Black Leadership Commission on AIDS.

3. National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day began as a grass roots effort with hundreds of organizations registering events and/or activities to raise the awareness of HIV and AIDS in their communities. It is shaped around the needs of those communities that work hard each and every year to make it a success. Each year, almost 20,000 Blacks in the United States test positive for HIV. In other words, 100,000 Blacks are now living with HIV or may have died from AIDS related complications.

4. There are four specific focal points: education, testing, involvement, and treatment.

• Education. One important focus is to get Blacks educated about the basics of HIV/AIDS in their local communities.

• Testing. Testing is at the core of this initiative, as it is hoped that Blacks will mark February 7 of every year as their annual or bi-annual day to get tested for HIV. This is vital for those who are sexually active and those at high risk of contracting HIV.

• Involvement. When it comes to community and organization leadership, getting Blacks involved to serve is another key focus. We need Black people from all walks of life, economic classes, literacy levels, shades and tones, as well as small and large communities to get connected to the work happening on the ground in their local areas.

• Treatment. Getting those living with HIV or recently-tested positive for the virus connected to treatment and care services is paramount. We cannot lead Black people towards HIV/AIDS education, prevention, testing, leadership or treatment unless we love them.

And, we can’t save Black people from an epidemic unless we serve Black people.

5. Testing Information You Need To Know…

How can I tell if I’m infected? The only way to know if you are infected is to be tested for HIV infection. You cannot rely on symptoms to know whether or not you are infected. Many people who are infected with HIV do not have any symptoms at all for many years.

For information on where to find an HIV testing site, visit the National HIV Testing Resources web site at http://www.hivtest.org or call CDC-INFO24 Hours/Day at (800) CDC-INFO (232-4636), (888) 232-6348 (TTY).

What are the most effective ways to be tested for infection? In most cases the test is performed on blood drawn from a vein. The blood is checked for the presence of antibodies to HIV. Other body fluids can also be tested to screen for HIV.

These include:

Oral Fluid Tests: These tests use oral fluid (not saliva) that is collected from the mouth using a special collection device.
Urine Tests: These tests use urine instead of blood. The sensitivity and specificity (accuracy) of the oral and urine tests are less than that of the traditional blood tests.

Rapid Tests: A rapid test is a screening test that produces very quick results (approximately 20-60 minutes).

Home Testing Kits: In July of 2012, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved OraQuick, the first home test kit for HIV infection. Individuals can purchase the kit at stores and pharmacies and even on-line to test themselves in the privacy of their homes. Chain drugstores, including Duane Reade and CVS, carry the test for around $40.

Departments, clinics, offices of private doctors, hospitals, and other sites set up specifically to provide HIV testing. For information on where to find an HIV testing site, visit the National HIV Testing Resources web site at http://www.hivtest.org, or call CDC-INFO, (800) CDC-INFO (232-4636), (888) 232-6348 (TTY).

How long after possible infection should I wait to get tested? It can take some time for the immune system to produce enough antibodies for the HIV test to detect. This time period can vary from person to person. Most people will develop detectable antibodies within two to eight weeks (the average is 20 days to 25 days). Even so, there is a chance that some people will take longer to develop detectable antibodies. If the initial negative HIV test was conducted within the first three months after possible exposure, repeat testing should be done at six months.

What happens if I test positive? If you test positive for HIV, the sooner you take steps to protect your health, the better. Early medical treatment and a healthy lifestyle can help you stay well. Prompt medical care may delay the onset of AIDS and prevent some life-threatening conditions. There is much you can do to stay healthy. Learn all that you can about maintaining good health.