Leading into NBHAAD 2018 with a Snapshot

February 7, 2018 is this year's observance of National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NBHAAD). In the almost twenty years since NBHAAD was first observed, HIV.gov has given our blog readers many updates on resources, programs, and policies that inform the way our nation addresses the impact of HIV on black Americans.

In reflection for this year’s observance, today we present a snapshot of HIV.gov blogs that have been relevant to the HIV prevention, care, and treatment of black Americans, and the digital communication efforts that reach them.

2017: Diagnoses data

In a blog entitled “HIV Diagnoses Have Decreased In The African American Community; Prevention And Care Necessary To Continue The Decline, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) leaders Dr. Mermin and Dr. McCray put the decline in the numbers of HIV diagnoses in the context of ongoing efforts by public health agencies and the HIV community to prevent HIV.

Dr. Rich Wolitski, Director, HHS Office of HIV/AIDS and Infectious Disease Policy (OHAIDP) blogged on new HIV diagnoses and noted that some groups and places are being left behind.

2016: HIV’s impact on black youth

CDC leadership wrote about the continuing impact of HIV on youth, including young black men who have same-sex partners and the need for HIV awareness and prevention, following a newly released study of HIV-related risk behaviors among male high school students who had sexual contact with males.

2015: Digital education

HIV.gov Director Miguel Gomez announced the release of Positive Spin. This digital educational tool uses the power of personal stories and video to raise awareness about the HIV care continuum and to encourage people living with HIV to get into treatment. The 2015 season of Positive Spin included the true stories of five black, gay men who are living with HIV, and who have successfully navigated the HIV care continuum. (Check out Positive Spin for your NBHAAD 2018 communications.)

2014: Technical assistance

Health Resources and Service Administration's Dr. Laura Cheever announced the launch of a technical assistance effort funded through the Secretary’s Minority AIDS Initiative Fund (SMAIF) to disseminate culturally and behaviorally appropriate models of HIV prevention and care for black men who have sex with men.

2013: Reaching black men who have sex with men

Dr. Timothy Harrison, Senior Policy Advisor at OHAIDP, reported on the work of partners in the CDC’s Act Against AIDS Leadership Initiative to address the burden of HIV on black Americans, and in particular, black men who have sex with men.

At NBHAAD and beyond

HIV.gov’s communications on reaching black Americans and about the national efforts to address HIV-related health disparities goes beyond these selected posts. For more information about reaching black Americans with HIV prevention messages, the history of the HIV epidemic, NBHAAD 2018 and other national HIV/AIDS awareness days, and the SMAIF, please sign up for articles from HIV.gov.