February 7 is National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NBHAAD), which was first observed in 1999. NBHAAD is planned by the Strategic Leadership Council each year. This observance is a day to acknowledge how HIV disproportionately affects Black people.

Black communities have made great progress in reducing HIV. Yet racism, discrimination, and mistrust in the health care system may affect whether Black people seek or receive HIV prevention services. These issues may also reduce the likelihood of engaging in HIV treatment and care. NBHAAD is an opportunity to increase HIV education, testing, community involvement, and treatment among Black communities.

This year’s theme is “Together…We Can Make HIV Black History!”. It will be a virtual think tank that aims to fuel strategic efforts in Black communities to end the HIV epidemic by:

Enhancing HIV awareness across social and service sectors
Discussing HIV stigma across sectors that serve or impact Black communities, and
Providing insight into social nuances, resources, and gaps that help or hinder community HIV testing, treatment, and prevention from community change agents.

Nashville CARES will partner with Austin Peay University to provide free prevention services to campus students, staff, and the community of Clarksville in observance of National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. Services include Free HIV and Hepatitis C testing, access to a PrEP Medical Provider for immediate access to free rapid start PrEP, and free condoms and lube.