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February 07, 2012
Dear Colleague,
Today is National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NBHAAD). The
theme for this observance day, “I Am My Brother/Sister’s Keeper:
Fight HIV/AIDS!” holds much significance as we reflect on
opportunities to bring an end to the spread of HIV in the United
States.
African Americans (AAs) make up just 14 percent of the population,
but accounted for 44 percent of all new infections in 2009. Since
the start of the epidemic, nearly a quarter of a million AAs with
AIDS have died. In 2009:
- Black women accounted for 30 percent of the estimated new
HIV infections among all blacks. The estimated rate of new HIV
infections for black women was more than 15 times as high as the
rate for white women, and more than three times as high as that
of Latina women.
- Black men accounted for 70 percent of the estimated new
infections among all blacks. The estimated rate of new HIV
infection for black men was more than six and a half times as
high as that of white men, and more than two and a half times as
high as that of Latino men or black women.
- Black men who have sex with men (MSM) represented an
estimated 73 percent of new infections among all black men, and
37 percent among all MSM.
Addressing Social and Economic Factors
We must tackle the root causes that contribute to the spread of
HIV in black communities. We know that poor access to health care
can hinder getting an HIV test or treatment, a critical step to
stopping this disease. Also, a higher HIV risk is associated with
factors such as living in areas with high rates of HIV, lower
income, educational level, employment status, homelessness, and
incarceration. In addition, stigma and homophobia, which are far too
prevalent in all communities, continue to prevent many African
Americans from seeking testing, treatment or support. It is
important that we talk openly about HIV in our communities, with our
partners, peers and families.
HIV Prevention Efforts
Working together with state, local, and tribal public health
agencies, community-based organizations, and other partners, CDC
continues to prioritize its efforts to address the barriers that
contribute to HIV in the black community. CDC supports Act
Against AIDS (AAA), a national communication initiative, which
aims to reduce the risk of HIV infection among the most impacted
populations, including blacks, gay and bisexual men of all races and
ethnicities, and Latinos. Two AAA campaigns are specifically
designed and targeted for African Americans: Take Charge. Take
the Test encourages black women to get tested for HIV; and
Testing Makes Us Stronger aims to increase HIV testing among
black MSM. Furthermore, the Act Against AIDS Leadership
Initiative (AAALI) is a partnership among CDC and many of the
country’s leading organizations representing populations
disproportionately affected by the epidemic to help mobilize
communities nationwide.
Additionally, CDC’s Expanded Testing Program (ETP) aims to increase
access to HIV testing in communities hardest hit by the disease. In
the first three years of the project, more than 2.8 million tests
were conducted identifying more than 18,000 people with HIV—Blacks
were among the most reached through testing (57.4%) and diagnosis
with HIV (66%). Finally, CDC recently awarded $339 million to state
and local health departments, which includes ETP implementation, to
fund HIV prevention activities, prioritizing such activities as HIV
testing, condom distribution, prevention efforts among individual
infected with HIV, and policy initiatives. If we are to overcome the
HIV epidemic in the United States, we must stem the spread of HIV in
the black community—everyone and every action counts.
Critical HIV Prevention Messages
Lastly, it is most important that we promote an open dialogue about
HIV, urging individuals to talk with their partners, peers and
families about the disease and how it can be prevented. Focusing on
core prevention messages—not having sex, mutual monogamy, routine
condom use, HIV testing, and treatment—also are key to preventing or
reducing the spread of HIV. Additionally, increasing knowledge about
the importance of HIV testing is the first step individuals can take
to protect their health. CDC encourages persons with increased risk
for HIV to get tested annually. For those who are diagnosed with
HIV, seeking and remaining on treatment can help them live longer,
healthier lives and can help to reduce the spread of HIV to others.
CDC has released new videos for your use. The first two are NBHAAD
specific and include core HIV prevention messages. Please watch
these videos, link to them, add them to your Web site, share them on
Facebook and tweet about them.
For more information and to find national and local NBHAAD
events, go to
www.nationalblackaidsday.org. To learn more about how you can
get involved in the fight against HIV, please join
www.actagainstaids.org.
Thank you for your support and we look forward to your continued
collaboration.
Sincerely,
Kevin A. Fenton, M.D., Ph.D., FFPH
Director
National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB
Prevention (NCHHSTP)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
www.cdc.gov/nchhstp
Follow me on Twitter: @CDC_DrFenton
Jonathan H. Mermin, M.D., M.P.H.
Director, Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention
National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB
Prevention
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
www.cdc.gov/hiv
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