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Miami, FL – February 7, 2021 commemorates National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NBHAAD), a National HIV testing and treatment community mobilization initiative. NBHAAD was founded in 1999 as a national response to the growing HIV and AIDS epidemic in African American communities.  This year’s theme, “We’re in This Together,” promotes the importance of social support—from friends, family, colleagues, and partners—even when apart.

Key Steps to Reducing HIV and AIDS 

• Raise awareness about HIV/AIDS and related risks.
• Encourage individuals to be tested for HIV.
• Encourage those living with HIV/AIDS to get into treatment and care to stay healthy.
• Increase youth involvement.
• Reduce barriers to HIV testing, prevention and care by reducing HIV/AIDS stigma.
• Disseminate information on the health benefits of condoms, PrEP, and other risk reduction measures.

Get Tested

We have the power to both prevent and treat HIV. Early diagnosis leads to more successful treatment, so getting tested and learning your status is crucial. Florida is a national leader in HIV testing, and there are many ways to get tested. Visit www.testmiami.org to learn more about testing options in your area or to order a free at-home testing kit mailed directly to the address of your choice (while supplies last).

You Know Your HIV Status—Now What?

For people living with HIV, it’s crucial that treatment starts as soon as possible—immediate treatment with antiretroviral therapy (ART) typically leads to long, healthier lives. ART also reduces the amount of HIV in the body making it harder for the virus to transmit to others.

People not diagnosed with HIV should ask their health care provider for a risk/needs assessment to help determine which type of HIV prevention would work best: taking PrEP, using condoms or regular retesting.

National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day Events

Visit www.testmiami.org to learn about events happening for National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day.

Working together, we can move towards Getting to Zero with no new HIV infections 

For more information, please call 305-643-7420. To learn where to get tested please visit www.testmiami.org or www.knowyourhivstatus.com

Data sources: http://www.nhaad.org and https://www.floridahealth.gov

About the Florida Department of Health

The department, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter at @HealthyFla. For more information about the Florida Department of Health please visit www.FloridaHealth.gov.