National Black HIV Awareness Day

OUR HEALTH. OUR COMMUNITY. STOP THE STIGMA.

“Together…We Can Make HIV Black History!”

Engage, Educate, Empower: Uniting to End HIV/AIDS in Black Communities

When our communities Get Educated, Get Tested, Get Involved, and Get Treatment, we make progress in our goal to stop HIV together.

National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NBHAAD) is observed annually on February 7 to increase awareness, spark conversations, and highlight the work being done to reduce HIV in Black or African American communities in the United States and show support for people with HIV in these communities.

Black communities have made great progress in reducing HIV. Yet racism, discrimination, and mistrust in the health care system may affect whether Black people seek or receive HIV prevention services. These issues may also reduce the likelihood of engaging in HIV treatment and care. NBHAAD is an opportunity to increase HIV education, testing, community involvement, and treatment among Black communities.

Do you know how to talk about HIV to avoid stigma?

The words we use matter. Keep in mind that:

• When talking about HIV, certain words and language may have a negative meaning for people at high risk for HIV or those who have HIV.
• We can do our part to stop HIV stigma by being intentional and thoughtful when choosing our words, and choosing to use supportive—rather than stigmatizing— language when talking about HIV.

Consider using the preferred terms below to avoid promoting stigma and misinformation around HIV.

• Problematic Word or Phrase: AIDS  Preferred Word or Phrase: HIV and AIDS (when referring to both)
• Why: AIDS itself is not a condition. It is a rand of conditions or a syndrome that occurs when the HIV infection weakens a person’s immune system.

• Problematic Word or Phrase:-To catch AIDS, To catch HIV, To pass on HIV/AIDS
• Preferred Word or Phrase: To be Diagnosed with HIV, to Acquire HIVE, to transmit HIV
• Why: AIDS cannot be caught or transmitted. People get HIV. HIV can be transmitted, but it is not hereditary.

These are a few examples of words that matter to achieve supportive and knowledgable communication.

COMPLIMENTARY TESTING AND PREVENTATIVE SERVICES:

• Educational Sessions in English and Spanish
  (HIV Prevention Information)
• Pre-Exposure Prophlaxis (PreP)
• Post-Exposure Prevention (PEP) (PEPSE)
• Treatment and Prevention (TasP)
• Blood Tests for HIV, Syphilis, ad Hepatitis C
• Urine Sample Tests for Chlamydia, Gonorrhea and Trichomoniasis

Test results are provided by the Indiana State Department of Health and the Marion County Public Health Department Labs at least five 5 business days after the actual test.

Call (317) 693-7603 to schedule a confidential appointment between 8:30 am and 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Learn more about our Special Populations Support Program click here

WHAT IS THE HIV STATUS OF BLACK AMERICA? 

Watch the Video and get the facts.

START THE CONVERSATION

Don’t let anything keep you from knowing your status. When people receive unconditional support, they may be more likely to get tested for HIV, seek care, and stay in treatment. Let your family and friends know they’re not alone—even if you’re physically apart. We’re in this together.