Mecklenburg County Public Health raises awareness for Black HIV

The Mecklenburg County Public Well being Division will observe Nationwide Black HIV/AIDS Consciousness Day on Wednesday, Feb. 7. 

Why it issues: HIV disproportionately impacts the Black group, particularly within the South. 

In 2022, Black individuals made up 31% of Mecklenburg County’s inhabitants however accounted for 65% of latest HIV diagnoses, in accordance with a press launch from Mecklenburg County.

Nationally, in 2021, Black individuals made up round 12% of the U.S. inhabitants however accounted for 40%, or 13,000, of the estimated 32,100 new HIV infections, in accordance with the CDC. 

That’s much like nationwide charges in 2019, which had round 40%, or 479,300, of all individuals with HIV within the U.S. had been Black, in accordance with the CDC. 

“The information might be disheartening but it surely additionally galvanizes our dedication to create consciousness and training,” Matt Jenkins, Mecklenburg County Public Well being HIV/STD director, mentioned in a press launch. “Testing and remedy can be found, and we need to help our residents by guaranteeing they’ve entry to these providers.”

Mecklenburg County Public Well being will maintain an consciousness occasion on Wednesday, Feb. 7, with the movie “Endgame: AIDS in Black America,” adopted by a guided dialogue. 

The occasion can be held at Unbiased Theater, 4237 Raleigh St., Charlotte from 5:30 – 8 p.m.

These excited by attending can register right here. 

Mecklenburg County Public Well being will even supply HIV/STI screenings and MPOX vaccines:

Monday, Feb. 5, midday – 3 p.m. at Pores and skin’tique Magnificence Bar, 1202 Beatties Ford Highway, Charlotte. 

Tuesday, Feb. 6, 6 – 8 p.m. on the Atrium Well being North Park, 251 Eastway Drive, Charlotte.

Thursday, Feb. 8, 1 –  4 p.m. on the Ella B. Scarborough Neighborhood Useful resource Heart, 430 Stitt Highway, Charlotte. 

For extra info relating to HIV/STI screenings or entry to PrEP, name 704-432- 8378.