National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day

National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NBHAAD) is dedicated to raising awareness about the disproportionate impact of HIV on Black and African American communities in the United States. First observed in 1999, NBHAAD highlights the importance of community involvement and improved access to HIV education, prevention, testing, and treatment services.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2023, 38 percent of new HIV diagnoses occurred in Black and African American people, although this population accounted for only 12 percent of the national population. This disparity is even wider in the South, where Black and African American people accounted for 51 percent of new diagnoses in 2022. In addition, the majority of new HIV diagnoses in 2023 occurred in Black or African American gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM). Within this population, young Black and African American MSM are the most affected subpopulation—47 percent of HIV diagnoses in Black and African American MSM are among people ages 13-34.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) HIV research program, coordinated by the NIH Office of AIDS Research (OAR), supports research to reduce HIV-related disparities based on race and ethnicity. This includes efforts to better understand and address HIV-related stigma and discrimination, which can discourage people from accessing HIV services. NIH HIV research also looks at the most effective ways to encourage Black and African American populations to access HIV testing, prevention, and treatment services.

Social Media

Use the hashtag #NBHAAD to follow the conversation on social media.