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NATIONAL BLACK HIV/AIDS AWARENESS DAY IS
FEBRUARY 7TH, 2012
February 4, 2012 - Mark your calendars and set the date! February 7, 2012 is National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NBHAAD), a national
HIV/AIDS testing and treatment community mobilization initiative designed to encourage Blacks across the United States and Territorial
Areas to get educated, get tested, get involved, and get treated around HIV/AIDS, as it continues to devastate
Black communities.
In 2009, an estimated 16,741 Blacks were diagnosed with AIDS in the US, a number that has slowly
decreased since 2006. By the end of 2008, an estimated 240,627 Blacks with an AIDS diagnosis had died in the
US. In 2007, HIV was the ninth leading cause of death for all Blacks and the third leading cause of death
for both Black men and Black women aged 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. and there's no better time than February 7th! On
this commemorative day, Blacks are encouraged to get educated, get tested, get involved, and get
treated around HIV/AIDS. Special events such as press conferences, town hall meetings, health
fairs, church services, community marches and rallies, candlelight vigils, and free HIV
testing will be held throughout the nation.
While Blacks represent approximately 14% of the U.S. population, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that the group
accounts for 44% of the nation's new HIV infections.
In its twelfth year, NBHAAD organizers remain focused on all cities where Black communities are disproportionately impacted and the
epidemic is not slowing. Some of these cities include Atlanta, Baltimore, Chicago, Cleveland, Dallas, Detroit, Houston,
Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, Newark, New York, Oakland, Philadelphia, Raleigh-Durham, San Francisco, Trenton and
Washington, D.C.
Several Black 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
include: President Barack H. Obama (during his time as Illinois Senator), Congressman Elijah E. Cummings;
Tony Dungy; Idris Elba; Kimberly Elise; Lance Gross; Hill Harper; Taraji P. Henson; Tom Joyner;
Congresswoman Barbara Lee; Ludacris; Master P; Tangi Miller; Patrik-Ian Polk;
General Colin Powell; Sheryl Lee Ralph; Gloria Reuben; Romeo; Rev. Edwin Sanders; Tavis Smiley; and
Congresswoman Maxine Waters.
Currently, NBHAAD is directed, planned and organized by a group known as the Strategic Leadership Council who partners
with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to mobilize communities
and address specific issues in regards to local epidemics.
For more information on National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, visit www.NationalBlackAIDSDay.org.
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"Reproduced with permission - National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day"
National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
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