Tag Archives: National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day

AIDS

To commemorate Black History Month, the Health Department’s online forum, nycHealthy, will focus on inequality in health. Despite significant progress, black New Yorkers still suffer far more than their share of illness and early death. In fact, black New Yorkers living with AIDS die from the disease at twice the rate of white New Yorkers living with AIDS. This week Dr. Monica Sweeney , the Health Department’s assistant commissioner for HIV/AIDS prevention and control, discusses the increase in new HIV infections in some parts of the black community. Why is this scourge on the rise? How can we help young, black New Yorkers protect themselves?

With Dr. Monica Sweeney,

This morning I’ll attend the Black History Month celebration at Brooklyn ’s High School for Public Service. As it happens, tomorrow (February 7th) is National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. I’m glad to have a chance to talk to young people about this epidemic, but I’m afraid one day of awareness won’t do. Black New Yorkers now account for half of the city’s new infections, and new HIV diagnoses are rising among young black men who have sex with men. In a situation like this, we need to be aware of HIV every day of the year. Continue reading →