March 20, 2008 marks the second annual National Native HIV/AIDS AwarenessDay. This day gives us another opportunity to recognize that HIV/AIDS is acritical and growing health issue within our Native population. Once again, wecan avoid complacency and increase awareness of the impact of HIV/AIDS onAmerican Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians.
American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/AN) are ranked third in the nationin the rate of AIDS diagnosis compared to all other races and ethnicities. Wealso face additional health disparities that contribute significantly to therisk of HIV transmission such as substance abuse and sexually transmittedinfections. Amongst our people, HIV/AIDS exists in both urban and ruralpopulations (and on or near tribal lands); however, many of those with HIV arenot aware of their status. Nationally nearly 25% of the one million Americanswith HIV are unaware they are infected. An estimated half of new HIVinfections are spread from people who are not aware of their status.
These statistics, risk factors and missed opportunities for screeningilluminate the need to go beyond raising awareness about HIV and begin activeintegration of initiatives that will help routinize HIV services. If thestatus quo remains in our Native population, prevalence will continue toincrease and we may face an irreversible problem. Therefore, we must changethe way we discuss HIV, change (and improve) the way we integrate HIV testinginto our health services, and firmly establish our linkages and access tocare. Ultimately, we can do our part to reduce the stigma that surroundsHIV/AIDS within our health culture.
National Native HIV/AIDS Awareness Day also gives us the opportunity tothank dedicated staff that continues to provide HIV prevention, testing, andtreatment services in the face of limited resources and competing priorities.Tribes, community organizations, and health departments will be holding manyevents on this day of advocacy, such as free HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis screening,HIV trainings, sunrise ceremonies, walks, basketball tournaments, and others.Please review an interactive map of activities across the country:http://www.nnaapc.org/news/nnhaadmap.htm. I encourage all staff and communitymembers to take part in this special day to not just raise awareness, but toimplement change.
For Mr. McSwain's Public Service Announcements, press statement andinformation on National Native HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, please visit our IHSHIV Program website http://www.ihs.gov/MedicalPrograms/HIVAIDS/ or theAIDS.gov website http://www.AIDS.gov. To locate a testing site near you,please visit http://www.hivtest.org.
SOURCE Indian Health Service
