National Asian and Pacific Islander HIV/AIDS Awareness Day

May 19 is National Asian & Pacific Islander HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. It is a day to break the silence about HIV/AIDS in Asian and Pacific Islander communities and encourage individuals to get tested for HIV.

In recent years, the number of diagnoses of HIV infection among Asians has increased while the number of diagnoses among Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders has decreased. In 2009, an estimated 470 Asians were diagnosed with HIV infection (an increase from 366 in 2006), and 34 Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders were diagnosed with HIV infection (a decrease from 46 in 2006) in the 40 states* with confidential name-based HIV infection reporting. Those diagnosed represent 1.2% of the 42,011 diagnoses in 2009.

To raise awareness about the impact of HIV on these populations, National Asian and Pacific Islander HIV/AIDS Awareness Day events are held nationwide on or around May 19. The theme for 2011 is "Saving face can't make you safe. Talk about HIV—for me, for you, for everyone." Saving face is a common cultural norm among Asian and Pacific Islanders that contributes to silence around talking about sex, HIV, and safer sex practices.

National Asian & Pacific Islander HIV/AIDS Awareness Day was founded by the Banyan Tree Project, with support from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to end the silence and shame surrounding HIV/AIDS in Asian and Pacific Islander communities.

The Banyan Tree Project is sponsored by the San Francisco-based Asian & Pacific Islander Wellness Center and in collaboration with partner organizations in Boston, Chicago, Honolulu, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C.

* Excluding California, Hawaii, Oregon, and Washington, which all have large populations of Asians, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders.

What Can You Do?

• Get tested for HIV. To find a testing site near you, text your ZIP Code to KNOW IT (566948).
• Attend an event near you.
• Talk with your health care provider about your risks for HIV and get tested.
• Get the facts about HIV/AIDS by visiting the Act Against AIDS web site including:
  • The risk factors for acquiring HIV.
  • How to avoid high-risk behaviors.
  • How to practice safer methods to prevent HIV.
• Talk about HIV prevention with family, friends, and colleagues.
• Volunteer at a local organization that serves people living with HIV.
• Stand up against stigma, racism, and other forms of discrimination associated with HIV/AIDS.
• Learn more from Asian and Pacific Island health organizations, including:
  • Asian & Pacific Islander Wellness Center
  • Asian Pacific AIDS Intervention Team
  • Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum
  • Life Foundation
  • Massachusetts Asian & Pacific Islander for Health

More Information

• API HIV/AIDS CDC Radio PSA [PODCAST - 0:30 seconds]