“Words Matter HIV Toolkit” Aims to Destigmatize the Topic Among Black Youth

 

(AIDSVU, 2019)

(April 13, 2023) In honor of National Youth HIV & AIDS Awareness Day (NYHAAD) April 10, the National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC) released a new Words Matter HIV Toolkit with resources to support Black youth, who are disproportionately impacted by HIV. The Words Matter HIV Toolkit aims to educate and encourage people to have stigma-free conversations surrounding the virus. “In 2018, young Black gay, bisexual, and same-gender-loving men made up 51% of new HIV diagnoses among young gay and bisexual men overall,” reads an NBJC statement regarding the youth awareness day. 

In 2019, 3,209 Black gay, bisexual, and same-gender-loving boys and men aged 13 to 24 were diagnosed with HIV, compared to 948 white boys and men of the same age group. In 2016, more than half of gay, bisexual, and same-gender-loving young people with HIV were Black. “HIV stigma affects the well-being of people with HIV,” the tool kit reads. ” The tool kit aims to increase the number of Black people getting tested for HIV, reduce the number of Black people acquiring the virus, increase support for Black people living with HIV, provide education and much more. ” The NBJC tool kit also suggests starting community conversations about HIV and AIDS and provides helpful instructions for doing so. “Language can be used to create spaces where people feel safe, comfortable, and supported including through personal and difficult conversations,” the tool kit reads. 

Article Link : “Words Matter HIV Toolkit” Aims to Destigmatize the Topic Among Black Youth