As the country continues to celebrate Black History Month on February 7, we turn our attention to National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NBHAAD). A day to commemorate and recognize the progress made in HIV prevention, treatment and care over the past 40 years. While our country has learned a lot and made tremendous strides in ending the HIV and AIDS epidemic, there is still more work to be done, especially in African American communities. This community has resisted historical and ongoing oppression, in all its forms, especially the racial terrorism of lynching, racial persecution, and police killings. Racism, discrimination, and mistrust in the health care system have long contributed to African Americans seeking or receiving HIV prevention services. While community leaders, activists, and organizers have worked to reduce HIV and AIDS in our communities and mitigate seroconversions (new HIV diagnoses), African Americans continue to be disproportionately affected by HIV.
For NBHAAD 2023, we invite everyone to take this day as an opportunity to raise awareness about HIV education and testing services and highlight work to improve the quality of HIV treatment and care in these communities. Let’s work together to reduce the burden of HIV and other health risks. People need adequate housing and transportation, employment, and access to culturally competent health services that are free from stigma and discrimination. To learn more about our free health insurance and HIV prevention programs, contact us at info@highimpacto.org and by phone and WhatsApp at 954-947-3603 or find us on social media as @highimpacto on Instagram, Facebook, Tik Tok, and Twitter. This is a call to all of us to establish safe spaces where African American life can be sustained, fortified and respected.