Today, June 8th, 2011 is …

Caribbean American HIV/AIDS Awareness Day

Co-authored by Jane Carper, Intern, AIDS.gov

Today is Caribbean American HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NCAHAAD)—an annual observance dedicated to increasing awareness of HIV/AIDS in the Caribbean American community. The National Planning Committee convened by Caribbean People International Collective, Inc. is the lead organizer for the day. Observed during National Caribbean American Heritage Month and just after our nation has marked 30 years of AIDS since the first report of AIDS in the U.S., this commemoration highlights both how far we have come and where we still need to make progress.

If you are involved in recognizing this day and working to address health disparities related to HIV and AIDS, please share what you are doing. For more ways to get involved, to find nearby HIV testing services, housing providers, health centers and other service providers, and to download more resources, visit AIDS.gov. Now is a great time to join the National Observances Web Community to find what’s happening for this and all of the HIV/AIDS Awareness Days.

Related posts:

• Using Video to Share Your Story: Some Tips on National Caribbean HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
• Working to Break the Silence and Raise HIV/AIDS Awareness in Caribbean American Communities
• Mobilizing for National Caribbean American HIV/AIDS Awareness Day 2009

About NCHAAD
The annual Caribbean-American Health/AIDS Awareness Day was created to provide Caribbean-Americans with resources, HIV/AIDS health education, evaluation, and opportunities for involvement. The goal is to beat the odds and to ensure that we cultivate a health conscious atmosphere within our communities. This day is a part of a National effort to get Caribbean-Americans to get educated, get evaluated, get treated and get involved with their health decisions, as HIV/AIDS, Diabetes, Cancer, High Blood Pressure and Cardiovascular diseases continues to negatively affect the Caribbean communities resulting in premature deaths.

Concept
On June 8th in 5-10 cities around the United States, Caribbean-American leadership will sponsor diverse activities to create awareness of the state of HIV/AIDS and the health status of Caribbean-Americans within their specific communities.

National Caribbean-American Health/AIDS Awareness Day will be directed, planned and organized by a working group of national organizations in partnership with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The goal of this partnership is to mobilize communities and address specific issues in regards to local epidemics, health disparities and best practices that are science based and will influence the course of HIV in Caribbean-American communities across our nation.

Local Ownership
Each location is largely responsible for raising the funds needed to sponsor their own local activity. In sum, every locality will organize an activity that will address the epidemic in their community and make the public aware of what must be done to prevent new infections and advocate for proper care for those who are living with HIV/AIDS.

National Planning Committee Participation
There is a National Planning Committee for the National Caribbean-American Health/AIDS Awareness Day. Planning Committee participants was convened by the Caribbean People International Collective Inc, and 10 other Caribbean-American organizations in different cities that agreed to serve as the primary organizers for the National Caribbean-American Health/AIDS Awareness Day in their communities. Every local organization designated to lead this day has committed to organizing local groups and leaders; to be inclusive of all segments of the Caribbean-American community affected by the epidemic; to providing a primary leadership role; to serve as a credible voice within their community; to raise funds for their organized activity; to participate in the National Planning Committee conference calls; and to work with the National Committee.

Work of the National Planning Committee
The Planning Committee has developed basic materials in order to maximize the impact of the day on a local level. The Planning Committee will raising funds to assemble a Resource Handbook that can be used by local efforts, develop key materials that tie the event together nationally (poster, suggested activities, resources, etc.), operate to ensure national press coverage, and track activities in different cities. Additionally, the National Planning Committee will develop a website that enables participants from different cities to learn what is happening elsewhere and to generate a discussion of program ideas.

By Deb LeBel, Partnerships Specialist, AIDS.gov