How much do you really know about HIV/AIDS? Did you know that more than one million people are living with HIV/AIDS in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention? Here’s some more food for thought: 1 out of 7 people living with HIV don’t even know they have the virus.
What’s even more disturbing is the fact that AIDS was discovered 32 years ago yet so many misconceptions about the virus still exist in 2015. Furthermore, it’s difficult to fathom that African Americans are the racial group most affected by HIV, according to the CDC.
The following organizations are working around the clock to make sure that people, particularly African Americans, are educated on how to prevent HIV/AIDS while helping those who are already living with HIV/AIDS live a long, healthy, normal life.
1. SisterLove, Inc.
This 26-year-old, Atlanta-based nonprofit focuses on preventing HIV/AIDS among African-American women by placing heavy emphasis on education in a judgement-free environment. Additionally, SisterLove, Inc. offers free testing and counseling. Every year, the organization holds its “2020 Leading Women’s Society Awards and Leadership Institute” event. The purpose is to raise money while honoring 20 women, who’ve been living with HIV for 20 years but still find the time to make a difference in their communities as leaders. To learn more about SisterLove, Inc., click here.
2. Gay Men’s Health Crisis (GMHC)
Based in New York City and founded in 1982, the Gay Men’s Health Crisis is a nonprofit dedicated to putting an end to the AIDS epidemic once and for all. GMHC provides a variety of services, including medical treatment, counseling, legal services and even job placement. GMHC prides itself on promoting “total well-being for your whole life.” To learn more about GMHC, click here.
3. mothers2mothers
Did you know that approximately 700 children are infected with HIV each day? mothers2mothers is well aware of this statistic and is on a mission to make it a thing of the past. Its primary focus is to prevent “the transmission of HIV from mother to child and promoting maternal and infant health,” according to its website. Based in Cape Town, m2m has changed the lives of more than 1,200,000 HIV-positive women since its inception in 2010. To learn more about m2m, click here.