[Miami, Fla.] — February 7, 2023, marks National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NBHAAD), an annual observance to raise awareness about HIV and AIDS prevention, care, and treatment in communities of color nationwide. 

Ending HIV transmission requires addressing risk factors and encouraging important conversations about HIV. Nearly forty percent of the 4,708 Floridians who received an HIV diagnosis in 2021 were Black. It is crucial that people with HIV begin treatment as soon as possible upon diagnosis.

Regular HIV care includes antiretroviral therapy (ART), which decreases HIV in the body. This decrease, called viral suppression, leads to better health outcomes. Immediate and maintained treatment with ART typically leads to long, healthy lives for people with HIV. It is also an effective method of HIV prevention. People living with HIV who take antiretroviral medication as prescribed and achieve and maintain an undetectable viral load cannot transmit HIV to their sexual partners.

On this NBHAAD, the Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County (DOH-Miami-Dade) is participating in the following community events to emphasize the importance of getting tested and knowing your HIV status. Activities are free. No appointment is necessary.

Join the Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County, Florida Black HIV/AIDS Coalition, and community partners to commemorate National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day with outreach and HIV testing on:

Date:  Wednesday, February 8, 2023

Location:  Brownsville Metrorail Station:  5200 NW 27^th Ave, Miami, FL 33142, and the Heat Food Market:  5201 NW 27th Ave, Miami, FL 33142

Time:  10AM to 3PM

Event activities:

• FREE HIV and STD testing
• FREE promotional items
• Education and information

DOH-Miami-Dade offers routine HIV and STD testing in the clinic by appointment. To schedule an appointment, call 305-575-3800.

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

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

Protect yourself. Get tested. Know your status. Learn what is next.

Knowing your status is the first step toward effective HIV prevention and living a healthy and long life. People can reduce their risk for HIV by using appropriate prevention strategies, such as taking pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), using protection, and getting tested regularly. Contact a health care provider to find out if PrEP is recommended for you. Additionally, people living with HIV who take antiretroviral medication as prescribed and have an undetectable viral load cannot transmit HIV to their sexual partners.

We have the power to both prevent and treat HIV. Call 1-800-FLA-AIDS or visit www.KnowYourHIVStatus.com.