National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day — fighting to end the epidemic

On National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, we are confronted with an unacceptable disparity. African Americans account for a significantly higher proportion of new HIV diagnoses, individuals living with HIV, and all individuals ever diagnosed with AIDS. National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day was founded 18 years ago in response to the mounting HIV infection rates in the African American community.

The same remains true today. HIV/AIDS in African American communities is a continuous public health crisis in the United States, and addressing it is an integral component to ending the epidemic in its entirety.

{mosads}We have made great progress since the early days of the epidemic. But, there are specific areas where we desperately need improved outcomes. We are seeing increasing rates of new HIV infections in the Southern United States, among young men who have sex with men, women of Trans experience, and within low-income communities of color. 

In 2015, African Americans made up approximately 12 percent of the US population, yet accounted for 45 percent of new HIV diagnoses. If these disproportionate diagnosis rates continue, about one in two African American gay and bisexual men will be diagnosed with HIV in their lifetime. 

When it comes to HIV/AIDS, there are several factors that are specific to African American gay and bisexual men. Smaller sexual networks lead to a higher occurrence of HIV in the population, increasing the risk of African American gay and bisexual men being exposed.

This becomes increasingly problematic when individuals are unaware of their HIV status, because they don’t know to seek care and treatment, and may unknowingly pass the virus to others. Based on recent data from 22 U.S. cities, a lower percentage of HIV-positive African American gay and bisexual men are aware of their status, compared to HIV-positive gay and bisexual men of other races and ethnicities.

This, coupled with stigma, homophobia, and discrimination puts gay and bisexual men at risk for physical and mental health problems, and often serves as a significant barrier to care. 

Socioeconomic factors also play a strong role in disproportionately high HIV rates among African American communities. HIV/AIDS prevention is directly linked to high-quality health care, supportive and stable housing, and comprehensive STI and HIV education.

Unfortunately, the current administration has made it clear that repealing and replacing ObamaCare is a top priority, threatening the lives of over 30 million people who rely on it as their primary source of health care. A promise to slash government spending has many worried about federal funding for low-income housing. And, the fate of comprehensive sex education in public schools remains to be seen.

National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day shines light on the great need to strengthen affordable housing, healthcare and sex education rather than diminish existing programs and services.

Our nation is currently at a crossroads. We are dealing with a federal government that so far does not appear to be making accessible and affordable healthcare for all a priority. But, the knowledge and tools do exist to effectively diminish the impact of HIV/AIDS on African Americans. It is now more important than ever that we reaffirm our commitment to improving health outcomes through HIV testing and linkage to care.

On National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day we underscore our pledge to fight to end the AIDS epidemic and uplift the lives of all affected. End AIDS. Live Life.

Kelsey Louie, MSW, MBA is the Chief Executive Officer at Gay Men’s Health Crisis (GMHC) where he oversees all operational, programmatic, and strategic aspects of the organization. He has over 13 years of professional experience in the fields of HIV/AIDS prevention and care, behavioral health, addiction services, homelessness, LGBTQ issues, and family and children services.

The views of contributors are their own and are not the views of The Hill.