National African Immigrants and Refugee HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis Awareness Day

From the Division of HIV/Sexually Transmitted Disease/Hepatitis C Prevention

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September 9^th is National African Immigrants and Refugee HIV/AIDS

National African Immigrants and Refugee HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis Awareness Day (NAIRHHA) promotes culturally and linguistically appropriate awareness of HIV and viral hepatitis among African immigrants and refugees living in the United States. Originally founded in 2014 by HIV/AIDS advocates, National African Immigrant and Refugee HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis Awareness Day achieved a significant milestone in 2023 when it was formally recognized as a federal health observance by the United States (U.S.) House of Representatives. It is now observed nationally on September 9th by communities, advocates, healthcare professionals, government officials, and other stakeholders. This observance was established to help reduce the stigma surrounding HIV and hepatitis in U.S. regions with large African immigrant and refugee populations. The goal is to empower individuals and communities to take charge of their health by promoting HIV and hepatitis screenings, access to treatment, and hepatitis B vaccinations.

Harlem United, a non-profit organization founded in 1988, honors National African Immigrants and Refugee HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis Awareness Day as “an opportunity to reach more people and combat stigma that is so deeply entrenched,” says Kristin Goodwin, the Associate Vice President for Harlem United. In order to achieve equity and equality, Goodwin states that “it must be a public health priority to train a workforce that can provide appropriate care to these communities,” she also explains that “this requires training in clinical humility and conditions that specifically affect immigrant and refugee communities. For example, the prevalence of hepatitis B among certain African immigrant communities is significantly higher than in the rest of the U.S. population, and co-occurrence with HIV is significant, so it is important to actively screen and offer immunization.”

In 2023 a study was conducted to explore the significant increase in hepatitis B virus (HBV) in West African communities in the Bronx. The study found that amongst 500 individuals screened, 34.6% required vaccination. Of those screened after program vaccine availability, 92.1% initiated an HBV vaccination series in the program. The findings of this study showed the effectiveness of integrating “vaccination into a hepatitis B virus screening program for an immigrant population, emphasizing the importance of timeliness and cultural sensitivity.” Those who had access to care through this study chose vaccination because of their trust in West African personnel.

This example demonstrates that “a good message can be spread quickly if a trusted messenger in the community shares it.” Outreach teams like those at Harlem United are “members of the community, they speak the same languages and understand the specific cultural needs of the community.” This example can be used tailor effective HIV prevention messaging for African immigrant communities.

As we move forward to End the Epidemic in New York State, the AIDS Institute’s Division of HIV, Sexually Transmitted Disease, and Hepatitis C Prevention is proud to continue to collaborate with community-based organizations and other healthcare entities to reduce the stigma surrounding HIV and hepatitis in African immigrant and refugee communities. We honor National African Immigrants and Refugee HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis Awareness Day by addressing the unique issues faced by African immigrants and refugees in the United States with the goal of empowering individuals to take charge of their health by encouraging screenings, treatment, and vaccinations.

GET INVOLVED AND TAKE ACTION

TALK to your friends, family members, and colleagues about the importance of getting tested for HIV. The New York State Department of Health AIDS Institute offers free HIV self-testing kits to eligible individuals. Also, you can find a nearby testing site using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Test Site Locator.

CONNECT people to needed HIV services. Visit the New York State Department of Health AIDS Institute’s Provider Directory where you can search for HIV service providers in your area. The provider directory also includes related services such as hepatitis C services, sexually transmitted infection services, Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) and Post-exposure Prophylaxis (PEP), and services for people who use drugs.

PROMOTE HIV prevention, testing, treatment, and anti-stigma messaging on social media.