[Archived] City of Alexandria Hosts Virtual National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day Symposium

Immediate Release: January 28, 2021

The City of Alexandria will host a National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day Virtual Symposium on February 8, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The event will highlight the disproportionate impact of HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) in Black communities and broad-ranging challenges this poses for Black Americans.

Partner organizations will offer important perspectives on a wide range of topics. Highlights will include “The Journey to End HIV Criminalization in Virginia,” presented by ECHO VA Coalition (Ending Criminalization of HIV and Overincarceration in Virginia), and a “Community Call to Action'' presentation from Fredericksburg Area HIV/AIDS Support Services.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Blacks/African Americans account for a higher proportion of new HIV diagnoses and people with HIV, compared to other races and ethnicities. In 2018, Blacks/African Americans accounted for 13% of the U.S. population. However, HIV disproportionately impacts Blacks/African Americans, who represented 42% of the 37,968 new HIV diagnoses in the United States and dependent areas that year.

National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day is observed annually on February 7 to increase awareness, spark conversations, highlight the work being done to reduce HIV in Black or African American communities in the United States, and show support for people with HIV in these communities.

Visit alexandriava.gov/Health to register for the virtual symposium and learn more about National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. Registration is required by February 5.

For media inquiries, contact Zachary Carr, Communications Officer, at zachary.carr@vdh.virginia.gov at 703.746.4961.

For reasonable disability accommodation, contact nechelle.terrell@vdh.virginia.gov or 703.746.4934, Virginia Relay 711.