RICHMOND, Va. — The Richmond-Henrico Health District is drawing attention to February 7, known as National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, now being recognized in its 25 th year.
Quadira Stewart, who supervises community health work with RHHD, said based on national data, the disease is known to be found in America’s Black population at a higher rate compared to other groups, due to years of discrimination, lack of access to appropriate and affordable health care, and mistrust in the health care system.
According to CDC data from 2019 , out of everyone who was diagnosed with HIV that year, 40% of those diagnosed were Black.
It’s something Stewart and others at the health district want others to know about.
“We want to amplify the dialogue around HIV and AIDS,” Stewart said. “So, let’s talk about it. Mention it more. Schools, amongst our communities. Improve education.”
Stewart says you can see the effects right here in Richmond.
“In Richmond alone, we find that due to redlining, as well as segregation, history that we have in Richmond, Black people do not always get healthcare, as well as the fact that they don’t always have access,” Stewart said.