On February 7, 2020, NACCHO will observe National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NBHAAD) to increase awareness of HIV/AIDS prevention, care and treatment among Black communities in the U.S. This year’s NBHAAD theme is “We’re in This Together.” This theme was chosen to promote togetherness among Black communities and recognize that we all have a role in ending the HIV epidemic by getting tested, getting educated, getting involved, and getting treated.

In a Dear Colleague letter, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that in 2018, Blacks/African Americans accounted for 43% of all HIV diagnoses in the United States, despite making up 13% of the U.S. population. Although HIV diagnosis decreased overall among Blacks/African Americans from 2010-2017, trends vary for different groups within the Black/African American community and continued efforts to increase awareness, prevention, and treatment for HIV are crucial to end the HIV epidemic. Racism, stigma, and a history of healthcare discrimination against Black communities continue to act as barriers to HIV prevention and care services. Addressing these health disparities will require localized efforts to understand and dismantle systems that perpetuate racism, homophobia and other forms of discrimination in our communities.

Across the nation, local health departments and community partners play key roles in helping its community stay happy, healthy, and whole. NACCHO is proud to support the work of our local health department members and community partners to #StopHIVTogether.

Visit CDC’s NBHAAD website to find fact sheets, infographics, and more about HIV in Black/African American communities, and to share your own social media messages about #NBHAAD.