February 7, 2012 is National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NBHAAD). NBHAAD is a national community mobilization initiative designed to encourage HIV prevention, testing and treatment among Blacks and African Americans in the United States. This year’s theme is "I am My Brother’s/Sister’s Keeper: Fight HIV/AIDS." NBHAAD main objectives are to:

• Educate and distribute information about HIV/AIDS locally;
• Promote and provide HIV Testing;
• Increase HIV/AIDS community mobilization and involvement efforts locally; and
• Encourage linkage to care and treatment for those newly diagnosed with HIV and promote reengagement to care and treatment services for people living with HIV.

African Americans face the most severe burden of HIV of all racial/ethnic groups in the United States (US). Despite representing only 14% of the US population in 2009, African Americans accounted for 44% of all new HIV infections in that year. Compared with members of other races and ethnicities, African Americans account for a higher proportion of HIV infections at all stages of disease—from new infections to deaths (CDC Fact Sheet, 2011).

In preparation for NBHAAD, visit the newly launched website www.NationalBlackAIDSday.org, to register community events, order official NBHAAD materials, including post cards and posters, and learn more about the Historic Black College and University Initiative. The website also provides access to toolkits to assist with planning activities, and a database of local events.

Please send your questions, information or technical assistance requests to info@NationalBlackAIDSday.org.