Blogs as a Tool for National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NBHAAD)

February 6, 2013 • 0 comments • By AIDS.gov

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National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day: February 7

On Thursday, February 7, 2013, our nation will again recognize National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NBHAAD).
Since 2008, this blog has helped us share information and link to resources for HIV/AIDS Awareness Days. In 2013, we continue to blog about NBHAAD, including drawing on additional new media tools (Twitter

, Facebook

, Pinterest

, etc.)
Every year we look back at past blog posts to remind us where we have been and where we need to go in using new media in our collective response to HIV. In addition to creating new content, we look for ways to benefit from previous years products and information. We ask ourselves two questions: What can we learn from past blog posts? How can we effectively repurpose our blogs?
This look back at NBHAAD over the years provides a sampling of our blogs and a look at how our blogging has changed over the years.

Early AIDS.gov Posts

In 2008, we started small with a very simple NBHAAD post. That was only our fifth post – written just weeks after the launch of the blog – and our first post about a national HIV/AIDS observance day. We already knew that blogging could direct readers to relevant resources for action year-round, so we pointed to the AIDS.gov page about the HIV/AIDS Awareness Days. A 2009 post focused on HIV testing and the Federal recommendations for routine HIV testing in healthcare settings.
NBHAAD was, and is, an opportunity to encourage people to learn their HIV status.

Our Blogging Moves Ahead

Multiple posts recognized NBHAAD in 2011. In the post, “We All Have Important Roles to Play: National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day.” Dr. Ronald Valdiserri reminded us all that the National HIV AIDS Strategy calls on every one to address the epidemic, as particularly related to – but not limited to – the well-being of Black Americans. His post reinforced the importance of NBHAAD.
In 2012, we were honored to be able to cross-post Commemorating National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day by White House Senior Advisor to the President, Valerie Jarrett. In the Conversations on National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day video post, James Albino, Senior Program Manager for the White House Office of National AIDS Policy, spoke with three key leaders in the response to HIV/AIDS in the African American community.
We encourage you share messages for NBHAAD and share with us your answers to the questions above. What can you learn from past blog posts? How can you effectively repurpose your work?