National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day --- February 7, 2010

National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day --- February 7, 2010
Weekly
February 5, 2010 / 59(04);97


February 7 is National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection disproportionately affects blacks living in the United States. In 2006, blacks made up 12% of the population aged ≥13 years but accounted for 46% of the number of persons estimated to be living with HIV (1). Both the estimated HIV prevalence and incidence rates for black men and women were higher than those for any other racial/ethnic population (1,2). Among black males, male-to-male sexual contact accounted for 63% of new infections; among black females, high-risk heterosexual contact accounted for 83% of new infections (3).

To address these racial disparities in the prevalence and incidence of HIV infection, CDC conducts research and supports programs for HIV prevention among blacks in the United States. These efforts include increasing HIV testing opportunities nationwide, particularly in areas with the highest number of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) cases among blacks (4).

Information regarding National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day is available at http://www.blackaidsday.org/nbhaad.html. Information regarding blacks and HIV/AIDS is available at http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/topics/aa/index.htm.

References

CDC. HIV prevalence estimates---United States, 2006. MMWR 2008;57:1073--6.
Hall I, Song R, Rhodes P, et al; HIV Incidence Surveillance Group. Estimation of HIV incidence in the United States. JAMA 2008;300:520--9.
CDC. Subpopulation estimates from the HIV incidence surveillance system---United States, 2006. MMWR 2008;57:985--9.
CDC. A heightened national response to the HIV/AIDS crisis among African Americans. Revised June 2007. Available at http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/topics/aa/resources/reports/heightendresponse.htm. Accessed January 29, 2010.

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National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day --- February 7, 2010