February 7 is National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day

National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day is a time to promote HIV education, testing and treatment in Black communities.

Black/African Americans (Black/AA) still have higher numbers of new HIV infections, and more living with a HIV and AIDS diagnosis, when compared to other races/ethnicities.

In Ohio, despite making up only 13% of the population, 50% of all new reported HIV diagnoses in 2021 were among Black/AA individuals.Similarly, in Montgomery County, Ohio, Black/AA make up 22% of the population, but account for 55% of new HIV diagnoses during this same time.

While Black/AA groups have made progress in reducing HIV, racism, and unfair treatment, mistrust in the health care system may affect whether Black/AA people seek or receive HIV prevention services. These issues may also reduce the chances of getting HIV treatment and care.To reduce the impact of HIV and other health risks, Black/AA people need suitable housing, transportation, good jobs, and access to culturally competent health services, that are free of stigma and judgment.

The HIV/AIDS Prevention Committee of Region 9 (Clark, Darke, Greene, Miami, Montgomery, and Preble counties) is hard at work in helping to break down barriers. The committee offers linkage to care, whole person - culturally specific healthcare, case management, HIV testing, PrEP, syringe exchange, counseling, and referrals for social and mental health services.

The committee is encouraging everyone to:

• Talk about HIV and how it is spread.
• Protect yourself and your partner by:
  • Using condoms, the right way every time you have sex
  • Choose less risky sexual behaviors
  • Limit your number of sexual partners
  • Never share needles
  • Talk to your doctor about pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP),
    if you are at high risk for HIV
  • Talk to your doctor about post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) if you think you may have been exposed to HIV within the last 3 days through sex, sharing needles, or a sexual assault
• Get treated if you are HIV-positive
• Find out if you are at risk for HIV and get tested.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC),recommends that everyone between the ages of 13 and 64 get tested for HIV at least once as part of routine health care, and those at high risk get tested at least once a year. Some sexually active gay and bisexual men may benefit from more frequent testing (every 3 to 6 months).

Below are a list of sites offering HIV testing.