Education Packet
Black/African American People and HIV – This packet is a compilation of several recent fact sheets and other resources. You may wish to customize it to meet the needs or interests of particular groups, such as event participants, providers, patients, clients, or the general public. So please feel free to distribute all or part of this packet as either a printout or PDF.
Fact Sheets and Infographics
HIV and African American People (CDC) – This web page gives a brief overview of HIV diagnoses among African American people in the U.S., and links to related pages with more detailed information on the following topics: HIV risk behaviors, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) coverage, HIV incidence, HIV diagnoses, knowledge of HIV status, viral suppression and barriers to care, prevention challenges, and what CDC is doing to reduce stigma, support HIV testing, prevent new infections, and improve HIV treatment and care in African American people.
HIV and African American People (CDC) – This fact sheet includes breakdowns of HIV diagnoses among African American people by sex and transmission category. It also discusses trends in new HIV diagnoses among African American people by sex and age during the period from 2015 through 2019, as well as HIV prevalence, the HIV care continuum, and deaths among African American people diagnosed with HIV.
HIV in the United States and Dependent Areas (CDC) – This web page includes information on the disproportionately high number of new HIV diagnoses among African American people. Data breakdowns are provided for HIV diagnoses attributed to male-to-male sexual contact, male heterosexual contact, and female heterosexual contact among African Americans. Trends in HIV diagnoses from 2015 through 2019 for different racial/ethnic groups are also discussed. A Spanish-language version of this page is also available.
HIV’s Impact on Racial and Ethnic Minorities (HIV.gov) – This fact sheet includes information about the proportion of people with HIV by race/ethnicity compared to their proportion in the U.S. population; HIV incidence by race/ethnicity; Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program clients from racial and ethnic minority population groups; and the Minority HIV/AIDS Fund.
Black Americans and HIV/AIDS: The Basics (Kaiser Family Foundation) – This annotated fact sheet provides detailed information on HIV/AIDS among Black American people in the following topic areas: key facts, overview, transmission, women and young people, gay and bisexual men, geography, and HIV testing and access to prevention and care.
HIV and African American Gay and Bisexual Men (CDC) – This web page gives a brief overview of HIV diagnoses among African American gay and bisexual men – the group most affected by HIV in the United States. It includes links to related pages with more detailed information on the following topics: HIV risk behaviors, HIV prevention, HIV incidence, HIV diagnoses, knowledge of HIV status, viral suppression, prevention challenges, and what CDC is doing to reduce stigma, support HIV testing, prevent new infections, and improve HIV treatment and care for African American gay and bisexual men.
HIV and African American Gay and Bisexual Men (CDC) – This fact sheet includes data on the number and trends in new HIV diagnoses, HIV prevalence, and the HIV continuum of care among these men. It also discusses prevention challenges among African American gay and bisexual men, including: delays in linkage to medical care, low percentages of viral suppression, and high poverty rates, as well as racism, HIV stigma, and homophobia.
Black/African American Clients: Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program, 2020 (Health Resources and Services Administration) – This fact sheet summarizes selected demographic characteristics of Black/African American people served by the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program (RWHAP). Almost half (47%) of the nearly 562,000 RWHAP clients in 2020 were Black/African Americans. Among this group of clients, about 46% were age 50 years or older, 66% lived at or below the federal poverty level, and 87% were virally suppressed. More detailed information is provided about these and other demographic characteristics. A related slide deck provides an overview of key RWHAP client data by race/ethnicity in a series of graphs.
Highlighted CDC HIV Prevention Activities Concerning African American Gay and Bisexual Men (CDC) – This issue brief focuses on factors that contribute to high rates of HIV infection among Black gay and bisexual men, as well as CDC’s activities in HIV prevention, surveillance, behavioral intervention, awareness-raising, and community-engagement to address the HIV epidemic among Black gay and bisexual men.
The Role of Housing in Ending the HIV Epidemic (CDC) – This issue brief focuses on the importance of housing for people living with, or at risk for, HIV infection. It reviews the ways housing affects health, including the impact of unstable housing on HIV testing, use of HIV PrEP, access and adherence to HIV treatment, and viral suppression rates. It also summarizes data on the high rates of housing instability among several groups that are disproportionally affected by HIV, including Black/African American people, Hispanic/Latino people, young people, and transgender and gender-nonconforming people.
Infographics on Black/African American People and HIV (AIDSVu, unless otherwise indicated):
- Blacks/African Americans with HIV (CDC)
- Relatively High Prevalence of HIV Among Black Americans
- New HIV Diagnoses Among Black Americans in the South
- Proportion of New Diagnoses Among Black Americans During 2020
- Disproportional Impact of HIV on Young Black Men
- Recent Trends in HIV Diagnoses Among Black Americans
- Viral Suppression Rates Among Black Americans Compared to Persons of Other Races/Ethnicities
- Variation in HIV Testing Rates by Race/Ethnicity
- PrEP Use and HIV Diagnoses by Race/Ethnicity During 2020
- Inequities in PrEP-to-Need Ratios by Race/Ethnicity During 2021
- Equity in U.S. PrEP Use Has Decreased Over Time
- Racial/Ethnic Disparities in PrEP-to-Need Ratios by Region During 2021
- PrEP Use Among Black Americans in the South During 2021
- PrEP Use and HIV Diagnoses Among Black Americans in the Midwest and South During 2021
HIV Surveillance Reports and Data Analyses
Diagnoses of HIV Infection in the United States and Dependent Areas, 2020 (CDC) – This surveillance report includes detailed information about new HIV diagnoses, prevalence, and deaths among Black/African American people, as well as those in other racial and ethnic groups. Breakdowns are also provided by age, gender, transmission category, and geographic region. In addition, Tables 2a, 2b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 9a, 9b, 12a, 12b, 16a, 16b, 21, and A2 focus specifically on HIV diagnoses, deaths, and prevalence by race/ethnicity. Some other tables that focus on different characteristics also include race/ethnicity breakdowns.
Estimated HIV Incidence and Prevalence in the United States, 2015-2019 (CDC) – This report provides estimates of the number of new HIV infections and the total number of persons living with HIV during each year from 2015 through 2019. It begins with a commentary section that summarizes highlights of the report, followed by tables that present data on HIV incidence and prevalence among adults and adolescents, with breakdowns by sex at birth, age, race/ethnicity, transmission category, and region of residence. The race/ethnicity data include statistics for Black/African American people. An appendix focuses on the estimated incidence and prevalence of HIV infection among adults and adolescents living in Ending the HIV Epidemic (EHE) Phase 1 jurisdictions.
Monitoring Selected National HIV Prevention and Care Objectives by Using HIV Surveillance Data: United States and 6 Dependent Areas, 2020 (CDC) – This report presents the results of focused analyses of U.S. HIV surveillance data to measure progress toward ending the HIV epidemic. It includes information on the stage of HIV disease at time of diagnosis, linkage to HIV medical care, viral suppression, prevalence-based HIV care continuum, HIV deaths and survival, use of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), and perinatal HIV infections. The report also includes a series of Special Focus Profiles highlighting six populations of particular interest to HIV prevention programs in state and local health departments. For some measures, data are broken down by race/ethnicity, as well as gender, age, transmission category, and area of residence.
Estimated HIV Incidence and Prevalence in the United States, 2010-2019 (CDC) – This slide set summarizes trends in HIV incidence during the 2010s, with breakdowns by race/ethnicity, age, sex, transmission category, and region. Data for 2019 is also provided on knowledge of HIV status, as well as HIV prevalence in the 50 states, District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico.
HIV Infection, Stage 3 (AIDS), 2020 (CDC) – This slide set summarizes trends in AIDS diagnoses and deaths from 1985 to 2020, with breakdowns by age, sex, race/ethnicity, transmission category, and region. Data on cumulative AIDS diagnoses and deaths through 2020, and AIDS data for Metropolitan Statistical Areas are also provided.
HIV Mortality: 2020 (CDC) – This slide set presents an analysis – in a series of charts, graphs, and maps – of trends in the rates and distribution of deaths among people with HIV. Breakdowns are provided by race/ethnicity, age, gender, and geographic region.
AIDSVu – AIDSVu is an interactive online mapping tool that visualizes the impact of the HIV epidemic on communities across the United States. State-by-state data and limited county data for each New England state are available at the following links: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont. The state data include information on new HIV diagnoses, HIV prevalence, HIV testing, and deaths among persons with HIV, with breakdowns by race/ethnicity. Detailed data are also available for the following areas: Boston, the Hartford-East Hartford-Middletown metropolitan statistical area (MSA); the Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk MSA, and the New Haven-Milford MSA.
HIV in the United States by Region (CDC) – This web page includes information on HIV diagnoses by race/ethnicity in the following five regions: Northeast, Midwest, South, West, and U.S. Dependent Areas.
Selected Resources from AIDS Education and Training Centers (AETCs) and HRSA
National HIV Curriculum: HIV in Racial and Ethnic Minority Populations (AIDS Education and Training Center, University of Washington, and other partners, updated 2021) – This is the sixth lesson in the Curriculum’s Key Populations module. It has detailed information on many topics, including:
- Introduction
- Overview of HIV Epidemiology in Racial and Ethnic Minorities
- HIV Epidemiology Data by Racial and Ethnic Populations
- Comparison of Racial/Ethnic Groups in the HIV Care Continuum
- Health Outcomes and Death
- Factors Associated with Health Inequities
- Future Directions for Reducing HIV-Related Disparities
HIV & Oral Health Webinar Series Part 2: Emerging Viral Diseases: Implications for People with HIV (New England AETC, January 2023) – Presenters in this webinar discuss: 1) the importance of vaccination for disease prevention and/or elimination of severe disease and death; 2) methods to mitigate the spread of emerging viral infections in the dental setting; and 3) how providers can access the latest data about the impact of emerging viral diseases in their community.
HIV & Oral Health Webinar Series Part 1: Trauma Informed Dental Care (New England AETC, December 2022) – This webinar provides: 1) an overview of the approach used by a Part F Community-Based Dental Partnership to integrate/implement trauma-informed care into their program; and 2) examples of strategies participants can apply to create a more trauma-informed practice to improve the delivery of dental care.
Mental Health and HIV Webinar Series Part 4: Trauma and Stressor-Related Disorders (New England AETC, June 2022) – This webinar provides information about the pervasiveness of trauma among people with HIV and the principles of care necessary to avoid doing harm. The diagnosis and treatment of specific trauma disorders, including PTSD, are also discussed.
Mental Health and HIV Webinar Series Part 2: Pharmacotherapy for Depression (New England AETC, May 2022) – This webinar provides information about the most commonly prescribed antidepressants, including their impact on the management of HIV. Strategies for adjusting, switching, or augmenting antidepressant medications are also discussed.
Chemsex: Essentials for Treating the Addictive Fusion of Drugs and Sex (New England AETC, April 2022) – This seminar reviews the clinical presentation and treatment of co-occurring drug use (particularly amphetamines) and sexual behavior. Biopsychosocial risk factors are reviewed, along with the specific impact of various drugs on sexual functioning.
Coming Home: Women, Race, Social Justice & HIV (Midwest AETC, April 2022) – The training reviews recent developments, trends, interventions, research, and social justice initiatives needed to support women with HIV who are justice-involved.
Substance Use and Mortality: How the COVID-19 Pandemic is Affecting People with HIV & Communities of Color (Northeast/Caribbean AETC, January 2022) – These training slides review pre-COVID-19 rates of substance use disorders (SUD) and overdose deaths, as well as pre-COVID-19 rates of HIV prevalence and prevention efforts, in order to understand the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the HIV and SUD epidemics among communities of color.
The State of Mental Health for People of Color with HIV in the LGBTQ+ Community during the COVID-19 Pandemic (Northeast/Caribbean AETC, December 2021) – These training slides cover the combined impact of HIV and COVID-19 on LGBTQ+ people of color.
Being Triply Diagnosed While Black During the COVID-19 Pandemic (Northeast/Caribbean AETC, November 2021) – These training slides examine mental illness through a cultural lens to review the impact of COVID-19 on the Black community while facing the challenges of mental illness, substance use disorder, and HIV infection. Various treatment options are also addressed.
Evidence-Informed Interventions for Women of Color with HIV (Special Projects of National Significance Models of Care and others, October 2021) – This resource includes enhanced tools for patient navigation and for peer linkage and re-engagement into HIV care.
ConnQuER HepC App: Educational and Care Companion App (New England AETC, October 2021) – This educational tool “is useful for patients, case managers, and community health workers. It is designed to inform about the clinical condition of hepatitis C and foster more efficient conversations between patients and healthcare providers.” This tool is part of the ConnQuer HepC project aimed at curing hepatitis C among people of color with HIV.
The Psychological Implications of COVID-19 on People of Color with HIV/AIDS (Northeast/Caribbean AETC, October 2021) – These training slides cover the mental, emotional, and behavioral impact of COVID-19 on people of color with HIV, and discuss how the pandemic exposed racial and ethnic disparities in accessing behavioral health care. Strategies to help patients discuss, identify, and effectively manage their mental health during the pandemic and beyond are shared.
A Hard to Swallow: Understanding Black MSM and their Relationship to PrEP (Midwest AETC, July 2021) – These training materials review the impact of HIV among Black men who have sex with men (BMSM), discuss perceptions about BMSM and PrEP uptake, and identify strategies for recruiting and engaging BMSM with PrEP.
Dimensions of HIV Prevention and Treatment for Black Women (HRSA HIV/AIDS Bureau) – This is a summary of an expert panel’s examination of the research, clinical, and patient landscapes related to HIV prevention and treatment for cisgender Black women.
Reducing HIV Disparities to End the HIV Epidemic (HRSA CAREAction Newsletter) – This issue includes information about federal-level efforts to reduce health disparities, targeted RWHAP efforts to eliminate HIV disparities, and brief case studies of RWHAP-funded agencies’ efforts to reduce health disparities, including disparities among Black/African American people.
Improving Care for People with HIV Through Community Engagement (HRSA CAREAction Newsletter) – This issue includes information about the RWHAP’s structure and community engagement, as well as engaging key stakeholders, such as youth with HIV, people of color, and community health workers, and health literacy trainers.
Selected Recent Reports from CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report
Each of these recent reports includes data on, or a discussion of, racial/ethnic disparities in HIV testing, prevention, care, or other health indicators (such as COVID-19 vaccination status), including information for Black/African American people.
HIV Services and Outcomes During the COVID-19 Pandemic – United States, 2019-2021
HIV Testing Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic – United States, 2019-2020
Estimated Annual Number of HIV Infections – United States, 1981-2019
Vital Signs: Deaths Among Persons with Diagnosed HIV Infection, United States, 2010-2018
Selected Organizations and Websites
Black AIDS Institute – The Black AIDS Institute is a leading organization addressing HIV/AIDS among Black Americans. Their website provides detailed information about the range of programs and services offered by the Institute.
NMAC – The NMAC website has extensive resources in support of its mission to develop leadership in communities of color to end the HIV/AIDS epidemic. These include news, program listings, conference information, and a resource library.
The contents listed on this page are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement by, the New England AIDS Education and Training Center.