National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day Is Feb. 7

National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day is Tuesday, Feb. 7.

It is an HIV testing and treatment mobilization initiative in the U.S., according to the organization's website. Annually, nearly 20,000 blacks in the U.S. test positive for HIV.

While only representing 14 percent of the U.S. population, blacks account for 44 percent of all new HIV infections, according to the most recent information collected by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in 2009.

There are four key points to the Awareness Day initiative.

Education

The focus is to get educated about the basics of HIV/AIDS in local communities.

Testing

It's at the core of this initiative, and it is hoped this day is marked every year as an annual or bi-annual day to get tested for HIV. This is vital for those who are sexually active and those at high risk of contracting HIV.

Involvement

When it comes to community and organization leadership, people from all walks of life, economic classes, literacy levels, shades and tones in both small and large communities need to get connected to the work happening on the ground.

Treatment

Getting those living with HIV or recently-tested positive for the virus connected to treatment and care services is paramount.

National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day was founded by five national organizations funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in 1999:

• Concerned Black Men, Inc. of Philadelphia;
• Health Watch Information and Promotion Services, Inc.;
• Jackson State University - Mississippi Urban Research Center;
• National Black Alcoholism and Addictions Council; and
• National Black Leadership Commission on AIDS.