National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day: February 7

National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NBHAAD) is observed on February 7 each year. It exists to raise awareness about the impact of HIV on Black and African American communities. It was first observed in 1999 and highlights the importance of decreasing stigma and increasing community involvement. Improving access to HIV education, prevention, testing, and HIV care are focuses of NBHAAD, as well.

Virginia data

As is the case across the U.S., Black and African American communities are more impacted by HIV in Virginia. In 2024, while Black/African American communities made up 19.12% of Virginia’s population, they accounted for 50.2% of new HIV diagnoses and 56% of people with HIV in Virginia that year. The figure below shows the rate of new HIV diagnoses by race and ethnicity per 100,000 persons. Using rates allows for the comparison across different population sizes.

You can find additional HIV, STD, and viral hepatitis data on our website.

Causes

According to KFF, several challenges may contribute to the epidemic among Black people. These include experiences with:

- Higher rates of poverty
- Lack of access to health care
- Higher rates of some sexually transmitted infections
- Lower awareness of HIV status
- Stigma and discrimination
- Combating Stigma

How can you help combat stigma? Talk openly about HIV to help normalize the subject. This helps others learn about HIV and correct myths and misinformation. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has a stigma language guide that can help with these talks.

We can all help end HIV stigma through our words and actions in everyday life. Be a role model for positive and supportive behavior. Check out some scenarios from CDC to see how you can model positive behavior when you witness HIV stigma.

Access testing and prevention services near you

Free or low-cost HIV, STD, and viral hepatitis testing is available throughout Virginia. VDH funds local health departments, clinics, and community organizations to offer testing services if you do not have a primary care provider. To learn more about testing in Virginia or to find testing near you, visit our testing webpage.

PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) for HIV is available as a pill taken daily, or a shot taken every other month or every six months. PrEP prevents getting HIV through sexual contact about 99% of the time when taken as prescribed. VDH provides funds to locations throughout the Commonwealth to offer HIV PrEP.

Additionally, there are also post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) options to prevent HIV and STDs. PEP for HIV involves taking a course of medications to prevent HIV infection. It is critical that these medications are started within 72 hours of a potential exposure. DoxyPEP involves taking the antibiotic doxycycline after unprotected sex to prevent getting a bacterial STD. DoxyPEP is available at most local health departments.

If you’re interested in PrEP or PEP, visit our PrEP and PEP webpage to learn more or find a PrEP clinic near you. As noted above, nPEP is extremely time-sensitive, so please call your provider or our hotline if you believe you have been exposed to HIV and need PEP. To learn more about DoxyPEP, read our DoxyPEP fact sheet.

VDH’s response

VDH’s Division of Disease Prevention has multiple programs that address HIV prevention and treatment. This includes:

- Funding, oversight, resources, or support to local health departments, community, and/or clinical organizations for:
- HIV, STD, and viral hepatitis testing programs
- Patient linkages and referrals
- Education and outreach programs
- Comprehensive harm reduction programs
- Condom distribution
- PrEP, PEP, and DoxyPEP distribution
- Disease intervention services
- Data collection and follow-up
- Community planning groups
- HIV care services
- And more!

Learn more about the services that VDH provides on our website. If you want to become involved in any of our community groups, visit our Get Involved page.

Reach out for support

If you have any questions or need additional support, contact the Virginia Disease Prevention Hotline. Hotline counselors are available weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is closed on Virginia state holidays.

The hotline number is (800) 533-4148 and is toll free.

Hotline staff can help connect you to programs and needed resources throughout Virginia.

Worlds AIDS Day has been observed on December 1 each year since 1988. Every year, communities stand together, united with the red ribbon. We remember those who have been lost, unite in the fight against HIV and AIDS, and raise awareness to prevent new cases of HIV.

What’s happening in Virginia?

During the COVID-19 pandemic and social distancing measures, patients were less likely to seek routine screening and testing, and as a result Virginia reported fewer new cases during that time. The total number of HIV cases annually in Virginia have returned to pre-pandemic levels. Certain communities continue to be impacted by HIV more than others. Youth, ages 15-19, saw a 41% increase in new HIV cases from 2023 to 2024. Black and Hispanic/Latino persons have seen a 27% increase in new cases each year since 2022.

There are over 28,000 people living with HIV in the Commonwealth of Virginia. More than 75% of people with HIV in Virginia are men, and over half are 50 or older. While Black, non-Hispanic people make up 19% of the population in the Commonwealth, 56% of people with HIV identify as Black, non-Hispanic in Virginia.

Find more detailed HIV statistics on the data and reports page and the HIV data dashboard.

Scientific Progress

Major advances in science have been made since HIV/AIDS was first discovered. HIV testing is fast, reliable, and available at any local health department or healthcare provider. Testing is the only way to know if you have HIV. Not everyone has symptoms during the onset of the infection. Having a sexually transmitted disease (STD) can make it easier to get or transmit HIV.

Find HIV and STD testing near you on the VDH testing page. Learn more about HIV prevention on the HIV prevention page.

HIV Treatment

Advances in HIV treatment help people with HIV live long and healthy lives.

It is proven that when a person with HIV has reached and sustains an undetectable viral load, they will not transmit HIV to their partner sexually. An undetectable viral load means that the number of copies of the virus in the body cannot be detected by certain tests. This is often referred to as Undetectable=Untransmittable, or “U=U.”

Getting into medical care and starting treatment immediately is important. The sooner a person with HIV starts HIV treatment, the better their health outcomes will be.

Have Questions or Need Help?

If you or anyone you know has been diagnosed with HIV, help is available. Financial assistance with the cost of medications or copays is available through local, state, or federal programs. These programs can also help you find support groups or other social services in your area. Learn more on our website or call the Disease Prevention Hotline at (800) 533-4148.

Tag: Awareness Days