Black AIDS/HIV Awareness Day 2018: Black AIDS Institute
BlackDoctor.org
North Jersey Community Research Initiative · N.J. HIV Testing Sites · Pregnant? · N.J. Dept of Health
While Blacks represent approximately 12% of the U.S. population, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that Blacks account for 44% of the nation’s new HIV infections. According to the CDC, in 2015, an estimated 8,702 Blacks were diagnosed with AIDS in the US, a number that continues to decrease. In 2014, 3,591 Blacks with an HIV/AIDS diagnosis had died in the US.
In 2014, HIV was the 5th leading cause of death for Black men and 4th leading cause of death for Black women ages 35-44.
Unfortunately, many of those who are infected with HIV are unaware of their status and may unknowingly transmit the virus to others. It’s time to mobilize and talk about this devastating disease so we can make a difference.
Now in its eighteenth year, National Black HIV And AIDS Awareness Day (NBHAAD) organizers remain focused on where Black communities are most disproportionately impacted, including Newark, Trenton, New York City, and Philadelphia.
Blacks are encouraged to get educated on HIV/AIDS, get tested for HIV/AIDS, get involved in HIV/AIDS prevention activities, and get treated for HIV/AIDS, if needed.
Celebrities and community leaders have served as the face and voice of this huge effort while encouraging thousands of Black communities to mobilize and do something that will be long lasting in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Past spokespersons have included Congressional Representatives Maxine Waters, Barbara Lee, and Elijah E. Cummings; football coach and commentator Tony Dungy; actors Idris Elba, Lance Gross and Hill Harper; actresses Kimberly Elise, Taraji P. Henson, Tangi Miller, Gloria Reuben, and Sheryl Lee Ralph, national radio host Tom Joyner; recording artist Chris “Ludacris” Bridges; music producer Percy “Master P” Miller and his son Romeo; film director Patrick-Ian Polk; Reverend Edwin Sanders; General Colin Powell; and Barack Obama when he was a senator.