{"id":1657,"date":"2011-02-07T14:00:42","date_gmt":"2011-02-07T19:00:42","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blasianbytch.com\/?p=1657"},"modified":"2011-02-07T14:00:42","modified_gmt":"2011-02-07T19:00:42","slug":"today-is-national-black-hivaids-awareness-day","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blasianbytch.com\/?p=1657","title":{"rendered":"Today is National Black HIV\/AIDS Awareness Day!"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"\"<\/a>I work in Newark NJ and got tested for FREE! I got tested and had my results the same day. \u00a0Get educated, Get tested, Get involved, and Get treated!<\/em><\/p>\n


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From www.blackaidsday.org<\/a> –<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>February 7, 2011<\/strong> is National Black HIV\/AIDS Awareness Day (NBHAAD)<\/strong>, a national HIV\/AIDS testing and treatment community mobilization initiative designed to encourage Blacks across the United States and Territorial Areas to Get educated, get tested, Get involved, and Get treated<\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/span> around HIV\/AIDS, as it continues to devastate Black communities.<\/p>\n

In 2008, an estimated 18,328<\/strong> Blacks received an AIDS diagnosis, a number that has remained relatively stable since 2005. By the end of 2007, an estimated 233,624<\/strong> Blacks with a diagnosis of AIDS had died in the US and 5 dependent areas. In 2006, HIV was the ninth<\/strong> leading cause of death for all Blacks and the third<\/strong> leading cause of death for both Black men and Black women aged 35\u201344.\u00a0 Unfortunately, many of those who are infected with HIV are unaware of their status and may unknowingly transmit the virus to others.\u00a0 It\u2019s time to mobilize and talk about this devastating disease so we can make a difference\u2026 and there\u2019s no better time than February 7th<\/sup>!\u00a0 On this commemorative day, Blacks are encouraged to Get educated, Get tested, Get involved, and Get treated<\/span><\/em>. Special events such as press conferences, town hall meetings, church services, community marches and rallies, candlelight vigils, and free HIV testing will be held throughout the nation.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have to challenge the mindset and notion that Black people are disposable based on their sexual orientation, drug addiction or behavior, we didn\u2019t have that option on the slave ships or plantations \u2013 so why now?\u00a0 We can turn this epidemic around if we act now.<\/em>\u201d says LaMont \u201cMontee<\/em>\u201d Evans<\/strong>, of Healthy Black Communities, Inc, NBHAAD 2011 Annual Chairperson and a member of the NBHAAD Strategic Leadership Council.<\/p>\n

While Blacks represent approximately 13% of the U.S. population, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that the group accounts for almost half of the nation\u2019s AIDS cases.<\/p>\n

In its eleventh year, NBHAAD organizers remain focused on all cities where Black communities are disproportionately impacted and the epidemic is not slowing.\u00a0 Some of these cities include Atlanta, Baltimore, Chicago, Cleveland, Dallas, Detroit, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, Newark, New York, Oakland, Philadelphia, Raleigh-Durham, San Francisco, Trenton and Washington, D.C. <\/strong><\/p>\n

Several Black celebrities and community leaders have served as the face and voice of this huge effort while encouraging thousands of Black communities to mobilize and do something that will be long-lasting in the fight against HIV\/AIDS. Past spokespersons include: Congressman Elijah E. Cummings<\/strong>; Tony Dungy;<\/strong> Idris Elba; Kimberly<\/strong> Elise; Lance Gross<\/strong>; Hill Harper; Taraji P. Henson; Tom Joyner;<\/strong> Congresswoman Barbara Lee;<\/strong> Ludacris; Tangi Miller; Patrik-Ian Polk;<\/strong> General Colin Powell; Sheryl Lee Ralph; Gloria Reuben; Romeo; Rev. Edwin Sanders; Tavis Smiley; <\/strong>and Congresswoman Maxine Waters.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Currently, NBHAAD is directed, planned and organized by a group known as the Strategic Leadership Council<\/strong> who partners with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to mobilize communities and address specific issues in regards to local epidemics.<\/p>\n

For more information on National Black HIV\/AIDS Awareness Day<\/strong>, visit www.blackaidsday.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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