As most of us should know, blacks suffer the most percentage wise from HIV/ AIDs in the US and at many places around the world. But if you don’t know the shocking CDC numbers, the some of the brief hard facts are…*CDC estimates that 1 in 16 black men and 1 in 32 black women will be diagnosed with HIV infection during their lifetimes.
*In 2009, blacks made up 14% of the US population but accounted for nearly half (44%) of all new HIV infections.
*Recent CDC data showed an alarming 48% increase in new HIV infections from 2006 to 2009 among young, black men who have sex with men (MSM), aged 13 to 29 years.
*The rate of new HIV infections for black women is more than 15 times as high as that of white women, and more than 3 times as high as that of Latino women.
*Approximately 1 in 5 adults and adolescents in the United States living with HIV do not know they are infected. This translates to approximately 116,750 persons in the black community.
*Black men who sleep with men (MSM) are particularly burdened with HIV. In 21 major cities, 28% of black MSM were infected with HIV, and 59% of those did not know they were infected
Today, we have many more opportunities than ever before to reduce the disproportionate burden that black men and women face concerning this disease. Working together with state and local public health agencies, black communities, and other partners in the public and private sectors, CDC has stepped up efforts to address the HIV epidemic in black communities. One of these efforts is National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NBHAAD). NBHAAD is directed, planned, and organized by the Strategic Leadership Council, a group of organizations that partner with CDC to mobilize communities across the country to fight HIV and lessen its impact on black communities.
Events like National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day helps to shed light on our infection rates, educational needs, our hardest hit demographics, and what we need to do to help curb this problem.
The most important thing is to get tested and know your status! There is no reason for you not to know your HIV status; there are testing centers everyone. Testing and receiving your results is now easier than ever. Take this time to talk to your friends and family about HIV / AIDS and knowing their status.
Click HERE to find a testing center near you. Please get tested, know your status and protect yourself!
-Octavius
