Heartland Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
Health disparities are a focus in public health, and when it involves HIV/AIDS, there is a disproportionate impact on the African American community. On Feb. 12, you are invited to join your friends and community for Heartland Black HIV/AIDS Testing Day at Northstar just west of 47th and Ames.
Heartland Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NBHAAD) is a free testing and educational event to raise awareness and encourage African Americans to “Get tested, get educated, get involved, and get treated.”
A 3-on-3 basketball tournament tips off the event at noon and testing will continue until 5 p.m. NBHAAD is open to everyone.
Data has consistently shown that African Americans, who are about 14 percent of the nation’s population, account for close of half of new HIV cases and a similar percentage of those living with AIDS.
Complicating the situation is that many people who are infected do not know it and may transmit the disease to other individuals because of that. Heartland Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day provides an opportunity to mobilize the community and reverse the course of the disease.
This community mobilization involves the Douglas County Health Department, Methodist Health System, Adolescent Health Project, Black Family Health and Wellness, the Omaha Women’s Fund, Hy-Vee, North Omaha Area Health, Planned Parenthood, Charles Drew Health Center, MOTAC, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc., Queer People of Color, NorthStar Foundation, the Nebraska AIDS Project, Nebraska Urban Indian Health Coalition, Heartland Workforce Solutions, and Get Checked Omaha!