National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day shines a spotlight on profound health inequities affecting Black communities across America. Black Americans comprise just 12% of the U.S. population, yet in 2023 they accounted for 39% of people living with HIV and 38% of those newly diagnosed with the virus.
Black women face particularly severe disparities, experiencing the highest rate of new HIV diagnoses compared to women of all other races and ethnicities in 2023. Black youth accounted for nearly half of all new diagnoses among young people. Despite disproportionately high infection rates, Black people made up only 15% of users of PrEP, the preventive medication, in 2024.
Beyond the medical crisis, a Williams Institute report reveals how HIV criminalization compounds racial inequities. In all 16 states analyzed, Black Americans were arrested for HIV-related crimes at higher rates than their share of the state population. In California, Black people represent 6% of the population and 18% of those living with HIV, yet constitute 39% of HIV-related arrests. Maryland shows even starker disparities: Black people are 30% of the population but account for 82% of HIV-related arrests.
Black Americans were convicted at higher rates in every state examined and are more likely to be placed on sex offender registries for HIV-related convictions. Social determinants including poverty, stigma, and food insecurity drive these disparities, which persist despite major treatment and prevention advances.
See: “National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day 2026” (February 6, 2026)
