Still in the Fight

“Although we’ve made huge progress over the last 40 years, the epidemic is not over and we’re still in the fight.” Those words from Phill Wilson, amfAR trustee and founder and former president and CEO of the Black AIDS Institute, are a timely reminder as we mark National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day on Friday, February 7.

The health of Black communities in the U.S. continues to be hindered by structural racism, discrimination, and medical mistrust, among other drivers of inequity. As a result, HIV/AIDS continues to have a disproportionate impact on African-Americans.

• Although they make up only 12% of the total population, African-Americans account for nearly 40% of all new HIV diagnoses among persons aged 13 and older.*
• More than half of all new HIV diagnoses are among Black people in the South. Black gay and bisexual men make up about 38% of all new HIV diagnoses.
• African-Americans comprise only 14% of PrEP users. Black women in the South have the lowest PrEP uptake rates among all U.S. regions.
• Among people living with HIV and on treatment, only 53% of African-Americans have been able to control the virus, compared to 63% of white people.

amfAR joins other organizations making sure everyone has equal access to information about HIV/AIDS, equal access to lifesaving prevention and treatment, and equal access to compassionate healthcare policies. Below is a list of organizations committed to providing HIV/AIDS resources for African-Americans.

The Black AIDS Institute
Black Women’s Health Imperative
National Black Leadership Commission on Health, Inc.
NMAC
SisterLove, Inc.
Us Helping Us, People Into Living
The Counter Narrative
National Black Justice Coalition

*All data from 2022

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