Observing National Native HIV/AIDS Awareness Day

 

 

This Sunday, March 20^th, the Indian Health Service (IHS) joins American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities and the nation in observing the fifth National Native HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. Originally coordinated by Tribal organizations across the country, recognition of this day has been adopted by native and non-native communities throughout the country as an opportunity to:

• raise local HIV awareness
• educate others about HIV prevention and testing
• improve the health and future of AI/AN communities

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently released an updated report on HIV/AIDS in the United States. This report shows that AI/AN people diagnosed with HIV or AIDS continue to experience a shorter life span than other Americans living with HIV or AIDS.

These numbers are not just statistics. They represent our friends, neighbors, and families. Every AI/AN person whose life is threatened, shortened, or harmed by HIV is one of us. The IHS mission to raise the physical, mental, social, and spiritual health of American Indians and Alaska Natives to the highest level requires that we partner with communities to end the HIV/AIDS epidemic.

It is through local partnerships that IHS has been able to develop and support an expanded HIV testing initiative that links programs to training, resources, policy, and a growing network of other implementers. Expanded testing and early diagnosis, allow us to improve the health of individuals living with HIV/AIDS by providing the best available treatment as soon as possible. It also can strengthen local HIV education efforts by beginning conversations about preventing new infections.

The focus of all our partnerships is to prevent the spread of HIV and help those who are living with HIV. This includes our collaborative work with Federal colleagues in implementing the National HIV/AIDS Strategy. Building on the President’s call to ‘action’ in the Strategy, enhanced coordination and leveraging of information and resources is occurring nationwide.

Although we have made significant progress thus far, much more work needs to be done. I sincerely hope that the community observances of this day result in 364 more days of increased awareness and HIV testing, reduction of stigma, and, ultimately, the elimination of new infections as well as support for people living with HIV or AIDS and their families.

 

I urge you to use this day to reach out in your community and enhance its Celebration of Life .

 

For more information about HIV and AIDS and available resources, please visit the IHS HIV/AIDS program website and AIDS.gov. If you’re on Twitter, don’t forget to use the hashtag #NNHAAD for all of your tweets around this observance.

By RADM Scott Giberson, MPH, National HIV/AIDS Principal Consultant, Indian Health Service.

 

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STATEMENT as of March 18, 2011

 

IHS Statement on National Native American HIV/AIDS Awareness Day

 

By Yvette Roubideaux, M.D., MP.H., Director, Indian Health Service

 

This Sunday, March 20, marks the 5^th observance of National Native American HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. This day is set aside to acknowledge that HIV continues to threaten the health and well-being of Native communities.  On this day we celebrate our successes and plan how to best continue working in partnership to address HIV and AIDS among Native people.

HIV is a considerable problem in Indian Country.  From 2006-2009, the rate of HIV diagnoses among American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/AN) increased.  AI/AN also face more risk factors than some other groups, such as higher rates of sexually transmitted diseases and substance use.  As an American Indian physician and a member of a tribal community, I want to do everything in my power to reduce the spread of HIV.

To combat this epidemic, our National IHS HIV/AIDS Program, in collaboration with IHS, tribal, and urban providers, has increased preventive screening in IHS facilities, including providing free online training on a wide range of HIV/AIDS related topics.  We are also disseminating locally-generated best practices within our communities to increase HIV/AIDS testing and outreach activities.

For the first time since the beginning of this epidemic, the United States has a National HIV/AIDS Strategy.  Federal agencies from across the government, including the Indian Health Service, recently worked together to release detailed operational plans for implementing this collaborative strategy within their agencies.  These operational plans describe the steps to be taken to meet our goals of reducing new HIV infections, increasing access to care and improving health outcomes for people living with HIV, and reducing HIV-related health disparities.

In addition to encouraging testing for HIV, this day also allows us the opportunity to thank dedicated staff and community members who continue to improve services, foster partnerships, and advocate for American Indians and Alaska Natives.

 

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