CDC Encourages African-American Women to #TakeChargeAndTest for #NHTD

In honor of National HIV Testing Day (NHTD), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released an expanded suite of materials for Take Charge. Take the Test ™. This national HIV testing campaign is for African-American women between the ages of 18-34 to encourage them to get tested for HIV and reduce their risk of HIV infection.

Despite an encouraging decrease in new HIV infections among black women (21% between 2008 and 2010), if the current trend continues, 1 in 32 black women will be infected with HIV in their lifetimes.

The new campaign materials highlight family, love and relationships as reasons to get tested, and present empowered black women who are proactive managers of their sexual health. National HIV Testing Day provides an opportunity to raise awareness about how African-American women can protect themselves and their partners from HIV by getting tested, using condoms, and checking with their health care provider about medicines that prevent and treat HIV.

Getting tested for HIV is easier than ever. You can ask your doctor for a test, or you can check the HIV Testing Site & Care Services Locator, call 1-800-CDC-INFO, or text your ZIP code to "KNOW IT" (566948) for a nearby testing site. Health insurance usually covers the test, and some sites offer free testing, or you can also use one of the FDA-approved home testing kits.

CDC has a multi-channel approach to distribute campaign messages that relies on our partnerships, mobilization of communities, and myriad digital and social media tactics. Some items, such as Web banners, may be downloaded from the campaign Web site.

We hope you will support the campaign and help us extend the reach of these important campaign messages. Here’s what you can do:

• Share this blog with your network.
• Download and distribute campaign materials.
  • Show your support for the campaign by downloading digital banner ads from our campaign Web site to add to your organization’s Web site and social media channels.
  • Request printed posters, cards and brochures from CDC to distribute at community events and to provide to local venues in your city by sending an e-mail request to ActAgainstAIDS@cdc.gov.
• Incorporate Take Charge. Take the Test. ™ materials into community events and educational presentations. Help us underscore the importance of getting tested for HIV, seeking treatment if needed, and the adoption of healthier behaviors that can reduce HIV risk.
• Support the campaign on Social Media Channels.
  • Help us promote the campaign on Facebook. Like the Act Against AIDS Facebook pageExit Disclaimer to stay abreast of the latest Act Against AIDS news, and share and/or respond to our posts
  • Example Facebook post: CDC expands Take Charge. Take the Test., an HIV testing campaign for black women
• Join the conversation on Twitter. Follow our @TalkHIVExit Disclaimer account. Use the campaign hashtag #TakeChargeAndTest for related conversations
  • Example tweet: CDC encourages black women to #TakeChargeAndTest.
• Share pictures on Instagram. Tag pictures from HIV testing and related community events with the campaign hashtag, #TakeChargeAndTest
• Spread awareness on Pinterest. Repin Take Charge. Take the Test. ™ images to your boards. Search Pinterest for #TakeChargeAndTest.
• Create a short PSA! Create a 6-second PSA on Vine, or a 15-second PSA on Instagram to promote HIV testing among black women! Videos can be taped and uploaded directly from your phone. Tag videos with #TakeChargeAndTest

Knowledge is power in the fight against HIV. Help us share the knowledge in all communities; together, we can end this epidemic.

To learn more about Take Charge. Take the Test. ™, please visit the campaign’s Web site. Check out CDC’s other testing campaigns on the Act Against AIDS Web site.

For inquiries about Take Charge. Take the Test. ™, email ActAgainstAIDS@cdc.gov.