Community Alert from Broward House
National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day – February 7
Today, February 7, is National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day—a moment for our community to pause, reflect, and act.
At Broward House, we recognize this day because the impact of HIV on Black communities remains profound, persistent, and deeply tied to structural inequities that demand both honesty and action.
Across the United States, Black people account for 39% of people living with HIV and 38% of new HIV diagnoses, despite representing just 12% of the population. Black men and Black women continue to experience the highest rates of new HIV diagnoses among their peers, and young Black people account for half of all new HIV diagnoses among youth. These are not abstract statistics. They represent families, friends, neighbors, and futures that matter.
Equally concerning is access to prevention. While PrEP is one of the most effective tools we have to prevent HIV, Black Americans made up only 14% of PrEP users in 2023, despite having the greatest unmet need. This gap reflects long standing barriers including stigma, access to care, housing instability, and systemic racism within healthcare and social systems. According to national data, 22% of Black people living with HIV report unstable housing or homelessness, the highest rate of any racial or ethnic group.
And yet, there is resilience. Black communities continue to lead in HIV testing and advocacy, demonstrating strength, care for one another, and commitment to health when barriers are removed and trust is built.
At Broward House, we see this every day.
For more than three decades, our work has been rooted in a simple truth: housing is healthcare, and dignity is essential to wellness. We provide free HIV testing, prevention education, PrEP navigation, behavioral health services, and housing support because we know that care must meet people where they are, physically, emotionally, and culturally.
On this National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, we recommit ourselves to:
Expanding access to HIV testing and prevention tools like PrEP
Reducing stigma through education and community engagement
Addressing housing instability as a critical health issue
Advocating for equity in healthcare access and outcomes
We invite our community to engage, educate, and empower—not just today, but every day. Learning the facts saves lives. Getting tested protects futures. Supporting one another builds healthier communities.
Today is a reminder that knowledge is power and action saves lives. Take a step for yourself and your community. GET TESTED
To explore national data and resources on HIV in Black communities, we encourage you to visit:
A Deeper Look at HIV in Black Communities: https://aidsvu.org/resources/deeper-look-hiv-in-black-communities/
National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day Toolkit: https://aidsvu.org/national-black-hiv-aids-awareness-day-toolkit-2025/
If you or someone you love needs HIV testing, prevention services, housing support, or care, Broward House is here. You are not alone, and help is available.
Together, we can change the trajectory of HIV in our community—through compassion, access, and collective action.
With care and commitment,
The Broward House Team