Tallahassee, FL -- February 7. 2012 --

Community members joined administrators at Bond Community Health Center to recognize National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day Tuesday.

Medical experts say African Americans face the most severe burden of H-I-V of all racial/ethnic groups in the United States.

Eyewitness News Reporter Lanetra Bennett tells us local community leaders are using today -- National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day -- to fight back.

Tallahassee resident Christopher Aguilar says he has a family member who's been living with HIV for 14 years.

"It's not just any culture, any color. AIDS/HIV doesn't discriminate race, color, fashion. Anybody can have it."

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says African Americans have the highest percentage of cases.

The CDC says despite representing only 14 percent of the U.S. population in 2009, black people accounted for 44 percent of all new HIV infections.

"I think we've kind of taken the brakes off and gone back to that complacency in saying that, oh okay, there was a problem before, we don't hear about it as much. But, we can't let up." says Bond Community Health Care nurse.

"Medical experts say one of the keys to National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day is knowing your status. They encourage everyone to get tested. This rapid test, or Oraquick, is just a quick prick on the finger, and you get your results back in 20 minutes."

"Being that this epidemic is like a tsunami sweeping through our community, It's sad that we are allowing the message to go unheard and we're not sounding the alarm."

Experts say education and awareness helps fight HIV/AIDS in the community.

Bond Community Health Center provides free HIV testing and counseling. No appointment is necessary.
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Tallahassee, Florida - Feb. 7, 2012 -

Bond Community Health Center in Tallahassee is having a press conference to recognize National Black HIV/AIDS Day. The theme is I Am My Brother's/Sister's Keeper: Fight HIV/AIDS!

African Americans account for 48 percent of the total number (663,084) of people living with HIV in the United States according to the CDC.
Medical experts and community advocates are on-hand for a panel discussion. Experts say the stigma of HIV/AIDS still grips the community.

They are hoping to change that through outreach and educating the public and encouraging everyone to get tested.

Stay with WCTV for much more on this story.