New York City health department joins efforts to support HIV-positive African Americans

The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene recently partnered with the Choose To Stand Up campaign, which aims to eliminate the stereotypes that target HIV-positive people of African descent. The initiative encourages this population to come forward and discuss their experiences, and educates them about how to be open with their family and friends about their diagnosis.

Health officials have found that African immigrants with this sexually transmitted disease (STD) are often concerned about rejection from their communities and being deported from the U.S. This campaign targets these stigmas, and informs people that if they come forward they will be able to receive HIV treatments and support.

The awareness campaign was launched by the African Services Committee (ASC), a New York-based nonprofit organization that helps African immigrants residing in the city receive HIV treatments. Since its inception in 1981, the ASC has assisted eligible individuals access several services, including healthcare, the committee's website reports.

Kim Nichols, co-executive director of the committee, stated that "for those living outside their home turf, the vulnerability that comes with being HIV-positive really exacerbates HIV stigma."