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World AIDS Day

A day to unite in efforts to end the global HIV pandemic, show support for those living with HIV and AIDS, and to remember those who have lost their lives to the disease.

While there have been significant declines in new infections since the mid-1990s, and 2022 saw the fewest new HIV infections since the late 1980s, there were still about 1.3 million new infections in 2022, or about 3,500 new infections per day. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is a virus that attacks the body’s immune system. If HIV is not treated, it can lead to AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). There is currently no effective cure. Once people get HIV, they have it for life. But with proper medical care, HIV can be controlled. People with HIV who get effective HIV treatment can live long, healthy, and productive lives.

How Does HIV/AIDS affect African American Populations?

• Although Black/African Americans represent almost 13 percent of the U.S. population, they account for 42.1 percent of HIV infection cases in 2019.
• In 2020, African Americans were 7.8 times more likely to be diagnosed with HIV infection, as compared to the white population.
• African American males have 8.1 times the AIDS rate as compared to white males.
• African American females have 15 times the AIDS rate as compared to white females.
• African American men are 6.0 times as likely to die from HIV infection as non-Hispanic white men.

Speakers include Krystie Kirkland (Florida Department of Health),  Tracy Vertus (World AIDS museum), Robert Shore (Pride Center), Broward House (representative), and former Ft. Lauderdale social worker and featured author, Dale Napolin Bratter - "In Their Presence:  Untold Stories of Women and Children During the AIDS Epidemic."

About the African American Research Library and Cultural Center 
The Broward County African American Research Library and Cultural Center (AARLCC) is located in the Sistrunk community, one of the oldest historically Black communities named for one of Fort Lauderdale’s first Black physicians. Opening to the public on October 26, 2002, AARLCC became the third public library of its kind in the United States dedicated to the study of Black history and culture. The 60,000 square-foot Center serves as a repository of materials related to the local, national, and international voices of the African diaspora with more than 85,000 books, manuscripts, artifacts, framed art, print, photography, audiovisual, and documents held in our Adult Services Section and Special Collections. The Youth Services Section features a special collection of Coretta Scott King Award books and the Ashley Bryan Art Collection from illustrators of African Descent. AARLCC also features a 5,000 sq. ft. museum, a 300-seat state-of-the-art theatre, and a Computer Training Center.

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