Miami, FL – February 7, 2022 commemorates National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NBHAAD), a national community mobilization initiative on HIV testing, education, and treatment.  NBHAAD was founded in 1999 as a national response to the growing HIV and AIDS epidemic in African American communities.  There are many ways to increase awareness and there are prevention methods available to reduce HIV/AIDS transmission.     

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.  All Department County locations offer HIV testing, or you can test yourself in the privacy of your home. 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 method would work best: taking PrEP, using condoms or regular retesting.

National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day Events

Visit www.testmiami.org to find events happening for National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day and learn how we can end the HIV epidemic together.

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.cdc.gov and http://www.floridahealth.gov.