House Representative Maxine Waters (D-CA) has introduced a resolution to officially recognize National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. The resolution, H.Res. 1039 was announced on Feb. 6, just one day prior to National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, and has been co-sponsored by nearly 30 other House Reps. It has also seen backing from various organizations including AIDS Foundation Chicago, AIDS United, AMAAD Institute, LA pride, NAESM Inc., NMAC, and PFLAG National.
“National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day is a day set aside to increase HIV awareness and enhance prevention, testing, and treatment among African Americans,” Waters stated. “It is a day to commemorate the impact of HIV/AIDS on Black Americans and encourage continued efforts to reduce the incidence of HIV, eliminate health disparities, improve access to care and treatment, and show support for all those who are living with HIV/AIDS.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control, HIV disproportionately affects members of racially marginalized communities compared to their population size. “Black/African American people and Hispanic/Latino people are particularly affected by HIV, making up more than half (70%) of estimated new HIV infections in 2022.”
According to non-profit KFF’s research, Black Americans represent only 12% of the U.S.’s population, while also accounting for 39% of new HIV diagnoses. What’s more, Black people also represent around 40% of people living with HIV/AIDS and 43% of HIV/AIDS-induced deaths.
Waters has been launching initiatives to increase HIV/AIDS awareness, prevention, screening and treatment since the 1980s. According to her recent release, in 1998, she worked alongside the Clinton Administration to establish the Minority AIDS Initiative which increased HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment efforts for minority communities.
“On National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, we must recommit our nation to eliminate health disparities, promote HIV prevention, testing and treatment throughout the United States, and end the HIV/AIDS epidemic once and for all,” said Waters.
