From the Division of HIV/Sexually Transmitted Disease/Hepatitis C Prevention Para la versión en español, haga clic aquí

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National African Immigrants and Refugee HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis Awareness Day (NAIRHHA) advances culturally and linguistically appropriate HIV and viral hepatitis education and awareness 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 House of Representatives. It is now observed nationally on September 9th by communities, advocates, healthcare professionals, government officials, and other stakeholders. September is also widely recognized as National African Immigrant Heritage Month (NAIM) in the United States to celebrate the diverse and remarkable contributions African immigrants have made to enrich the United States. The National African Immigrants and Refugee HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis Awareness Day observance aims to help reduce the stigma surrounding HIV and hepatitis in regions in the United States 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. Hepatitis B is preventable through safe and effective vaccination.  Hepatitis C is curable. New York State requires all adults, all pregnant people during each pregnancy and all persons under 18 with an identified risk be screened for hepatitis C.  In 2021, The New York State Hepatitis C Elimination Plan was released. The plan outlines priority populations and settings and over 40 recommendations that will help New York eliminate hepatitis C as a public health problem by 2030.  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,  92.1% initiated an HBV vaccination series through 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. Significant progress has also been made in HIV treatment and prevention. Antiretroviral therapy (ART) helps to support people with HIV in living healthy lives, while Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) can help prevent HIV acquisition. The New York State Department of Health AIDS Institute recommends that everyone aged 13 to older get an HIV test at least once as a normal part of routine healthcare. The National African Immigrants and Refugee HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis Awareness Day tool kit provides best practices and considerations for engaging African Immigrant communities. The tool kit guidance explains that engaging African immigrant and refugee communities in HIV/AIDS and hepatitis B awareness requires thoughtful, culturally responsive, and trust-building approaches; highlighting that these communities are not monolithic; they reflect a rich diversity of language, religion, migration history, and health beliefs. It states that effective engagement begins with true partnership, a core value of National African Immigrants and Refugee HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis Awareness Day. This means going beyond outreach or consultation to co-create solutions with community leaders, share decision making power, and invest in community-driven leadership. It includes compensating individuals and organizations for their time and expertise and building relationships that extend beyond a single campaign. Key areas of considerations include cultural and linguistic relevance, addressing stigma and building trust, leveraging existing community structures, immigration-related barriers and faith and spiritual beliefs. When African immigrant communities help shape and lead the work, efforts to address HIV and hepatitis B become more culturally grounded, sustainable, and impactful. As we move forward to ending preventable epidemics 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 healthcare providers 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 with the knowledge and tools to protect 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, hepatitis B and C prevention, testing, treatment, and anti-stigma messaging on social media.