National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day: Get Educated – Get Tested – Get Involved – Get Treated

February 7, 2014 is a commemorative day designed to increase the awareness of HIV/AIDS prevention, care and treatment among African American communities locally, nationally and internationally. National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NBHAAD) is a community mobilization initiative to transform awareness into action where communities are encouraged to get educated, get tested, get involved and get treated, if needed.  

Why is there a need? Of all racial and ethnic groups in the United States, HIV and AIDS threaten the health and well-being of African Americans the most. While Blacks represent approximately 14 percent of the U.S. population, the latest Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates show that the group accounts for almost half of the nation’s new infections each year (44 percent). Among this community, men account for 70 percent of new HIV infections; women account for 30 percent. Black youth represent more than half (57 percent) of all new HIV infections among young people ages 13 to 24. Unfortunately, many of those who are infected with HIV are unaware of their status and may unknowingly transmit the virus to others.

As we know, everyone is at risk for infection regardless of one’s racial and ethnic group. You cannot rely on symptoms to know if you are HIV + (positive) --testing is the ONLY way to know for sure. Many people who are HIV + (positive) do not have any symptoms for years.  Early diagnosis and treatment can save your life and help prevention the further spread of the disease. Take control of your own health and help prevent illness of those around you by getting tested - KNOW YOUR HIV STATUS!

HIV and STDs do not discriminate. They are preventable! The New Jersey AIDS/HIV/STD Hotline highly recommends that everyone get tested. Call the health care professionals at the New Jersey AIDS/HIV/STD Hotline at 800-624-2377, text/email at 8006242377@njpies.org, or chat via our site at www.njhivstdline.org to find a FREE state-funded testing site near you. Help spread the word to those you may know (friends, family, coworkers, etc) who are HIV positive and are no longer receiving treatment for their infection. We are here to help them get back into medical care by connecting them to the HIV/AIDS Navigator Project.

In addition, contact us if you are newly diagnosed as HIV + (positive) and need information on treatment services and information, need to find a site for a follow-up, if you have any questions or concerns regarding STDs, HIV or Hepatitis, and/or need information about linkage to HIV treatment. We are always here to help 24hours a day/ 7 days a week!  Calls are free and confidential.

• Referrals for testing sites and other related services
• HIV/AIDS, STD and Hepatitis Prevention Information
• Counseling and Treatment Locations
• Treatment Information