Nat'l Gay Men's HIV/AIDS Awareness Day: HIV and African American Gay and Bisexual Men
- SisterLove
- Sep 27, 2021
- 3 min read
Today, September 27th, is National Gay Men's HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. While SisterLove, Inc fights for all of those who live with, or are affected by HIV, our essence has always been our focus on alleviating the impacts of the HIV epidemic in the Black Community. We are taking this day of awareness and action to focus on the HIV landscape for Gay and Bisexual Black Men.
Black gay, bisexual, and other men who reported male-to-male sexual contact are more affected by HIV than any other group in the United States and dependent areas. In 2018, Black/African American gay and bisexual men accounted for 26% (9,712) of the 37,968 new HIV diagnoses and 37% of new diagnoses among all gay and bisexual men.
From 2014 to 2018, HIV diagnoses remained stable overall among Black/African American gay and bisexual men. But trends for HIV diagnoses among Black/African American gay and bisexual men varied by age. While substantial progress has been made with reducing HIV diagnoses among some age groups, efforts will continue to focus on lowering diagnoses among all age groups.
LIVING WITH HIV
WHAT CDC IS DOING
CDC is pursuing a high-impact HIV prevention approach to maximize the effectiveness of HIV prevention interventions and strategies. Funding state, territorial, and local health departments and community-based organizations (CBOs) to develop and implement tailored programs is CDC’s largest investment in HIV prevention. This includes longstanding successful programs and new efforts funded through the Ending the HIV Epidemic in the U.S. initiative. In addition to funding health departments and CBOs, CDC is also strengthening the HIV prevention workforce and developing HIV communication resources for consumers and health care providers.
Under the integrated HIV surveillance and prevention cooperative agreement, CDC awards around $400 million per year to health departments for HIV data collection and prevention efforts. This award directs resources to the populations and geographic areas of greatest need, while supporting core HIV surveillance and prevention efforts across the US.
In 2019, CDC awarded $12 million to support the development of state and local Ending the HIV Epidemic in the U.S. plans in 57 of the nation’s priority areas. To further enhance capacity building efforts, CDC uses HIV prevention resources to fund the National Alliance of State and Territorial AIDS Directors (NASTAD) $1.5 million per year to support strategic partnerships, community engagement, peer-to-peer technical assistance, and planning efforts.
In 2020, CDC awarded $109 million to 32 state and local health departments that represent the 57 jurisdictions across the United States prioritized in the Ending the HIV Epidemic in the U.S. This award supports the implementation of state and local Ending the HIV Epidemic in the U.S. plans.
Under the flagship community-based organization cooperative agreement, CDC awards about $42 million per year to community organizations. This award directs resources to support the delivery of effective HIV prevention strategies to key populations.
In 2017, CDC awarded nearly $11 million per year for five years to 30 CBOs to provide HIV testing to young gay and bisexual men of color and transgender youth of color, with the goal of identifying undiagnosed HIV infections and linking those who have HIV to care and prevention services.
In 2019, CDC awarded a cooperative agreement to strengthen the capacity and improve the performance of the nation’s HIV prevention workforce. New elements include dedicated providers for web-based and classroom-based national training, and technical assistance tailored within four geographic regions.
Through its Let’s Stop HIV Together campaign, CDC offers resources about HIV stigma, testing, prevention, and treatment and care. This campaign is part of the Ending the HIV Epidemic in the U.S. initiative.
SisterLove, Inc has fought for over 32 years to end the HIV epidemic in the Black community. We have been able to offer testing, treatment, and counseling services to thousands of individuals, regardless of their sexuality or gender identity. But we couldn't do it without the support of people like you. Every contribution you make allows us to continue our life-saving work. Become a monthly supporter today and make an impact in your community.
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