{"id":17302,"date":"2026-02-05T16:01:23","date_gmt":"2026-02-05T21:01:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/news\/?page_id=17302"},"modified":"2026-02-05T16:01:23","modified_gmt":"2026-02-05T21:01:23","slug":"rhhd-commemorates-national-black-hiv-aids-awareness-day-feb-7","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/news\/public-relations-contacts\/2026-regional-news-releases\/rhhd-commemorates-national-black-hiv-aids-awareness-day-feb-7\/","title":{"rendered":"RHHD Commemorates National Black HIV\/AIDS Awareness Day Feb. 7"},"content":{"rendered":"

February 5, 2026
\nMedia Contact:<\/strong> Bryan Hooten, 804-807-1727, bryan.hooten@vdh.virginia.gov<\/a><\/p>\n

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R<\/strong>HHD Commemorates National Black HIV\/AIDS Awareness Day Feb. 7<\/strong><\/p>\n

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RICHMOND, Va.<\/strong> \u2014Richmond and Henrico Health Districts (RHHD) commemorate National Black HIV\/AIDS Awareness Day on Wednesday, Feb. 7, by encouraging Black and African American community members in Richmond City and Henrico County to get tested and seek treatment. This day creates the opportunity for healthcare providers and policy makers to reflect on the ways racism, discrimination, and mistrust in the health care system may affect those seeking and receiving HIV prevention and treatment services.<\/p>\n

National, state, and regional HIV\/AIDS data<\/strong><\/p>\n

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention<\/a>, in 2022, Black\/African American persons made up approximately 12% of the population of the United States but accounted for 37% (11,900) of the estimated 31,800 new HIV infections.<\/p>\n

Virginia Department of Health (VDH) data from 2023<\/a> show that Richmond City (26.5) and Henrico County (14.7) both had higher rates of new HIV diagnoses per 100,000 people (by health district) than Virginia as a whole (10). In the Central Region, which includes Richmond and Henrico, there were nearly twice as many<\/a> Black people living with HIV than all other races and ethnicities combined.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are several decades removed from the hardest days of the HIV epidemic in the United States, but the stigma around HIV still persists,\u201d said Richmond and Henrico Health Districts Director Elaine Perry, M.D. \u201cThrough education and ensuring access to preventive care and screening, we can continue the great progress that public health has made in reducing the effects of HIV on Black communities.\u201d<\/p>\n

RHHD HIV\/STI services<\/strong><\/p>\n

RHHD offers clinic-based sexually transmitted infection (STI) and HIV testing appointments at its Cary Street<\/a>, Henrico East<\/a>, and Henrico West<\/a> clinics. Visit rhhd.gov\/sti<\/a> for information and to view testing appointment options. Use rhhd.gov\/VA-HIV-testing<\/a> to search for Virginia-based HIV testing options near you.<\/p>\n

RHHD also offers pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP<\/a>). PrEP is a daily medication that is highly effective at helping prevent HIV. To learn more about PrEP, call 804-482-5493.<\/p>\n

People living with HIV needing support from the Virginia Medication Assistance Program<\/a> (VAMAP) can call\u00a0855-362-0658.<\/p>\n

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Community Partner Testing Options<\/strong><\/p>\n

The following RHHD community partners offer free STI and HIV testing services:<\/p>\n