By Sabia Prescott, EI blogger
February 7th is National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NBHAAD), founded in 1999 as a national HIV testing initiative aimed at addressing the prominence of HIV/AIDS within black American communities. Now in its 16th year, NBHAAD leverages a national platform to educate and bring awareness to communities across the country as well as mobilize platforms for disease prevention.
The initiative’s four main goals are to get communities educated, involved, tested, and treated. These goals are met through engaging stakeholders and leaders in communities ranging from major metropolitan cities to the country’s most rural areas, to collaborate in the fight against HIV.
In addition to its many public health platforms, NBHAAD also encourages the community to get involved themselves. Partner organizations across the country, ranging from nonprofit services to college campuses, host a wide variety of events throughout the year focused ultimately on NBHAAD’s mission. For a list of upcoming events in the Philadelphia area, or to register an event, please visit the NBHAAD website.
NBHAAD is recognized by the US Department of Health and Human Services. More information, including locations of free testing services, can be found at www.AIDS.gov. Join the conversation on Twitter by following @NatBlackAIDSDay or @AIDSgov.