Every February we recognize Black History Month. February 7th 2018 was also African, Caribbean and Black Canadian HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. In the words of The Canadian HIV/AIDS Black, African and Caribbean Network (CHABAC):
The African, Caribbean and Black Canadian HIV/AIDS Awareness Day will help raise awareness of HIV and contribute to addressing HIV-related stigma in Canada’s African, Caribbean and Black communities. This commemorative Day is inspired by the National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day that has been observed in the U.S. on February 7 every year since 1999.
People from African, Caribbean, and Black (ACB) communities are disproportionately affected by HIV, representing an estimated 16% of people living with HIV but only 2.5% of the population. There are many reasons for this: racism and other forms of discrimination; stigma about HIV bolstered by racialization of HIV in the media, lack of information or culturally-appropriate services, and inequality among others. It is well established that the social determinants of health—the conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work, and age—are primary factors in overall health. HIV is a global epidemic, and it is no coincidence that HIV rates are highest in the nations with the least wealth, power, resources, and access to testing and treatments.
If you would live to know more about HIV and ACB communities:
www.blackhivday.ca/sheet_stigma_en.pdf
www.blackhivday.ca/awareness_day_fact_sheet_2018_EN_final.pdf