releases: https://hankjohnson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/reps-johnson-meng-lee-push-recognize-sept-9-national-african-immigrant
Data license: MIT · Data source: dwillis/congress-press
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| https://hankjohnson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/reps-johnson-meng-lee-push-recognize-sept-9-national-african-immigrant | Reps. Johnson, Meng, Lee Push to Recognize Sept. 9 as National African Immigrant & Refugee HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis Awareness (NAIRHHA) Day | 2022-09-09 | 2022 | 2022-09 | Democrat | House | GA | Henry C. "Hank" Johnson, Jr. | J000288 | hankjohnson.house.gov | hankjohnson | https://hankjohnson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Hepatitis Caucus Co-Chairs Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04), Congresswoman Grace Meng (NY-06), along with HIV/AIDS Caucus Chair Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13), sent a letter with 11 House colleagues to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services requesting support for the designation of September 9th as "National African Immigrant and Refugee HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis Awareness (NAIRHHA) Day." The letter seeks to raise awareness for HIV and viral hepatitis testing, diagnosis, care, and treatment for immigrants of African descent, who suffer HIV infection rates six times higher than the national average, and face the highest average chronic hepatitis B rates in the country with approximately 10 percent of people in these communities living with hepatitis B. The letter states: "Federal recognition of NAIRHHA Day will bring increased awareness and attention to the health issues of HIV/AIDS and viral hepatitis in African immigrant and refugee populations in the U.S. NAIRHHA Day will help to eliminate the pervasive stigma surrounding HIV and hepatitis in these communities by encouraging screenings, treatment, and hepatitis B vaccination. No existing HIV/AIDS awareness day addresses the distinct factors influencing the high rates of HIV and viral hepatitis among African immigrants and refugees." Read the full letter HERE and below. Co-signers include Representatives: Judy Chu (CA-27); David Cicilline; Pramila Jayapal (WA-07); Mondaire Jones (NY-17); Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC); Ayanna Pressley (MA-07); Jamie Raskin (MD-08); Jan Schakowsky (IL-09); Nikema Williams (GA-05). The Honorable Rachel L. Levine, MD Assistant Secretary for Health U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 200 Independence Avenue, S.W. Washington, D.C. 20201 Dear Admiral Levine, We write to request your support for the designation of September 9th as "National African Immigrant and Refugee HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis Awareness (NAIRHHA) Day." As you may be aware, the number of African immigrants and refugees living in the United States has doubled every decade since 1970, reaching more than two million in 2018, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. HIV infection rates are six times higher in the African immigrant population than in that of the U.S. as a whole and are nearly twice those of U.S.-born Black individuals. Additionally, African immigrants face the highest average chronic hepatitis B rates in the country, with approximately 10 percent of people in these communities living with hepatitis B. The CDC recommends that individuals born in Africa, or individuals born in the U.S. who have at least one parent born in Africa, who were not vaccinated at birth, should be prioritized for hepatitis B testing. Despite these recommendations and high disease burden, African immigrant communities face significant challenges to HIV and viral hepatitis testing, diagnosis, care, and treatment. Challenges include stigma, fear, lack of awareness and knowledge, language barriers, immigration status, social and economic marginalization, and limited access to health care services. Often, care is inaccessible due to language and cultural barriers. Given that HIV and hepatitis B and C are preventable and treatable conditions, we believe that, with appropriate attention and focus, health outcomes among African immigrant communities can be improved and lives can be saved. Federal recognition of NAIRHHA Day will bring increased awareness and attention to the health issues of HIV/AIDS and viral hepatitis in African immigrant and refugee populations in the U.S. NAIRHHA Day will help to eliminate the pervasive stigma surrounding HIV and hepatitis in these communities by encouraging screenings, treatment, and hepatitis B vaccination. No existing HIV/AIDS awareness day addresses the distinct factors influencing the high rates of HIV and viral hepatitis among African immigrants and refugees. We appreciate your consideration of this important issue and look forward to working with you as we continue this effort to promote increased awareness, testing, prevention, and treatment of viral hepatitis and HIV/AIDS among African immigrant and refugee communities in the U.S. It is time for us to recognize NAIRHHA Day. Sincerely, Rep. Hank Johnson, Rep. Grace Meng, Rep. Barbara Lee & Members of Congress | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-08T03:08:33Z |