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About National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day

Home > About National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day

• What is National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NWGHAAD)?
• When is National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day?
• Why observe National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day?
• How can I take action?

What is National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NWGHAAD)?

National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day is a nationwide observance that encourages people to take action in the fight against HIV/AIDS and raise awareness of its impact on women and girls. It is coordinated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Office on Women's Health (OWH). It helps organizations across the country come together to offer support, encourage discussion, and teach women and girls about prevention of HIV, the importance of getting tested for HIV, and how to live with and manage HIV/AIDS.

When is National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day?

It is observed specifically on March 10 every year, but OWH encourages organizations to hold events throughout the month of March.

Why observe National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day?

HIV/AIDS is a serious public health issue affecting nearly 280,000 women in the United States.¹ While men account for most HIV/AIDS cases, the impact on women is growing. In addition, research shows that, when compared to men, women face gaps in access and care.

The new Affordable Care Act and National HIV/AIDS Strategy will help change that. The new law prohibits all insurance plans from putting lifetime caps on the dollar amount that they will spend on benefits. In the past, patients with HIV/AIDS, cancer, or other chronic diseases ran the risk of hitting a lifetime cap and losing access to care. The law also restricts most insurance companies' use of low annual dollar limits on benefits. In 2014, annual limits will be eliminated. In addition, the Affordable Care Act will help those living with HIV/AIDS be better able to afford their medications. The National HIV/AIDS Strategy will help:

• Reduce the number of people who become infected with HIV
• Increase access to care and optimize health outcomes for people living with HIV
• Reduce HIV-related health disparities

Get more information from AIDS.gov:

• How Does the Affordable Care Act Impact People Living with HIV/AIDS? (PDF, 450 KB)
• National HIV/AIDS Strategy

The Affordable Care Act and National HIV/AIDS Strategy are two important steps in the fight against HIV/AIDS, but the federal government cannot do it alone. We all have a role to play. On National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, OWH calls on individuals and organizations across the country to take action and bring attention to the impact HIV/AIDS has on women and girls.

How can I take action?

There are many ways to take action and observe National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. You can hold a screening event or health fair, work with government officials to issue a proclamation declaring March 10 National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, or work with local media to write stories about the impact of HIV/AIDS on women and girls. For more ideas, check out our Event Ideas for Celebrating National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (PDF, 463 KB).

¹ CDC. MMWR, Vol. 57, No. 39; 2008

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Content last updated January 17, 2011.