Congressional Black Caucus Health Braintrust Chair Dr. Robin Kelly Recognizes National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day

Today, U.S. Congresswoman Robin Kelly (D-Matteson) released the following statement recognizing National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day which will be observed on Saturday February 7.

“Each February 7, we mark National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day to honor the memory of those we’ve lost, and to draw attention to the fact that after three decades of AIDS awareness, HIV/AIDS continues to disproportionately impact African American men, women, and children,” said Kelly.

“There is no better time than now to educate, test, and treat our communities to combat HIV/AIDS.  African Americans are infected with HIV at a rate 8 times that of white Americans.  And at some point in their lifetimes, an estimated 1 in 16 African American men and 1 in 32 African American women will be diagnosed with HIV.  

As Chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus’ Health Braintrust, I am committed to closing the disparities gap for infectious diseases like HIV/AIDS by working to strengthen HIV/AIDS legislation and grant funding, and promoting wraparound care and support services for people living with HIV/AIDS.”