Blacks in King County continue to be disproportionately impacted by HIV/AIDS, with an HIV rate four times that of whites. To call attention to the HIV crisis in the black community, today Public Health – Seattle & King County joins concerned people everywhere for National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day in promoting actions to prevent the spread of HIV.

“If you aren’t already talking about HIV in the African American community, now is the time to start,” said Dr. Joanne Stekler, deputy director, Public Health – Seattle & King County HIV/STD Program. “If you don’t know your HIV status, now is the time to get tested. If you aren’t involved in the HIV prevention movement, now is the time to start participating. And if you have HIV and aren’t being treated, now is the time to learn what your options are.”

Nationally, blacks account for more HIV and AIDS cases than any other racial or ethnic group. Although blacks constitute about 14 percent of the U.S. population, they represent almost half of the people living with HIV. In King County, blacks make up 6.5 percent of the population, but account for 20 percent of new HIV infections.

Getting tested for HIV, as well as other STDs, is a critical step toward stopping HIV in the black community. Research shows that when people know they are HIV positive they take steps to reduce their chances of transmitting the virus. Knowing HIV status also reduces and delays the chances of getting AIDS. However, blacks in King County are more likely to be diagnosed with HIV closer to the time that they get an AIDS diagnosis, which indicates that they are being diagnosed much later than when they were infected.

Public Health – Seattle & King County and its community partners are committed to educating and furthering the dialog about HIV in the black community and ensuring that testing is quick, convenient, available and accessible.

Nationally, innovative new HIV education and prevention campaigns, such as the “We Are Greater Than” campaign, are reaching Black communities with messages and resources that will build on and sustain the momentum toward reducing the HIV/AIDS epidemic.

To find out where you can get tested locally or to learn more about treatment options, please call 206-296-4649 or visit www.kingcounty.gov/health/hiv.

For more information on the We Are Greater Than campaign, please visit www.greaterthan.org.

For more information on National Black HIV AIDS Awareness Day, please visit www.blackaidsday.org.