National Native HIV/AIDS Awareness Day is a time to raise awareness about the disproportionate impact of HIV on Native communities, which include American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians (collectively referred to as Native people).
Across the U.S., Native communities are dealing with the result of hundreds of years of trauma and oppression. HIV stigma, medical mistrust, and mistrust of the federal government all contribute to the disproportionate burden of HIV in these communities. Different subgroups are also disproportionately impacted within Native communities. In 2018, injection drug use (IDU) accounted for 44% of new HIV diagnoses among American Indian/Alaska Native women, compared to only 15% of new HIV diagnoses among all women in the U.S.
This year’s theme: “Resiliency + Action: Ending the HIV Epidemic in Native Communities” reminds us all that we have to create tailored community-based solutions to end the HIV epidemic in Native communities across the U.S.
On National Native HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, get involved and help end the nation’s HIV epidemic:
- EDUCATE FAMILY AND FRIENDS: View our local statistics to see how HIV impacts your community.
- LEARN MORE: Check out CDC’s page on HIV in Native communities to learn the prevention challenges and the work the CDC is doing.
- GET TESTED: Visit AIDSVu.org/testing to find a testing site near you.
- FIND PrEP PROVIDERS: Use AIDSVu’s PrEP locator to find a local PrEP provider.
