Today is National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day

National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day is celebrated annually on February 7th. The first National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day was marked in 1999 as a grassroots-education effort to raise awareness about HIV and AIDS prevention, care, and treatment in communities of color. In 2018, Black/African American people accounted for 13% of the US population but 42% of new HIV diagnoses in the United States. Although the HIV/AIDS epidemic affects everyone, it is important to acknowledge the disproportionate impact HIV/AIDS has on Black and African American communities.

Disparities in Treatment

In 2018, only 51 of every 100 Black/African American patients living with HIV were virally suppressed, a low rate compared to all people living with HIV. In order to reduce the transmissibility of HIV/AIDS, people living with the condition must take antiretroviral therapy, or ART. ART reduces viral loads, which keeps the immune system working and prevents illness. When taken as prescribed, ART can make HIV undetectable and untransmittable.

Trauma, stereotyping, unequal access to health services, lack of culturally specific care, and fear of legal consequences are among some of the reasons that Black communities experience challenges in prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS and other conditions. Due to these factors and more, Black/African American persons continue to have higher rates of morbidity and mortality than white persons for most indicators of physical health.

Last summer we launched Healing Together, a campaign to address overdose disparities and share prevention resources with Black communities. Even if you are not currently struggling with a Substance Use Disorder (SUD), we also shared relevant resources including culturally specific treatment options in Minnesota. To learn more click here.

Harm Reduction

According to the CDC, about 1 in every 10 new HIV diagnoses in the US are attributed to injection drug use. The CDC also ranks sharing syringes as the second-riskiest behavior for getting HIV. The accessibility of syringe exchanges is an important harm reduction tool that significantly decreases the odds of transmitting blood-borne diseases including HIV, Hepatitis B, and more. Ultimately, harm reduction strategies like needle exchanges will continue to play an important role in both the Opioid & HIV epidemics.

Resources

Today we’d like to recognize some of the many great local organizations who serve individuals living with HIV & AIDS. There are several community organizations in Minnesota that offer low or no cost resources like PrEP, safe use supplies, condoms, and HIV tests. Here are a few:

Red Door

Red Door is the largest HIV and STD clinic in Minnesota and a landmark for health care services in Hennepin County. They provide a supportive and welcoming place where you can get the information and services including HIV prevention & testing, HIV support groups, Needle exchange, and more.

Rainbow Health

Rainbow Health (formerly JustUs Health) provides comprehensive health services for LGBTQIA+ people, people living with HIV, and folks from underserved communities. They are advocates for health equity and have services including HIV testing and prevention, case management, peer support, group therapy, chemical health, and more.