March 20 is National Native HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NNHAAD), an opportunity to raise awareness about the impact of HIV on Native communities—including American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians—and promote the importance of HIV education, testing, prevention, and care.
Held each year on the first day of spring, NNHAAD was chosen by the Native community to be held on this day as it represents a “celebration of life for all people.” This year’s theme is “It’s all relative, our experience makes a difference.”
Certain age groups in the American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) community are more affected by HIV/AIDS. In 2021, young American Indians/Alaska Native people (AI/AN) aged 25-34 had the highest percentage (41%) of new HIV diagnoses of any age group. This percentage increased from 2020, when American Indians/Alaska Native people aged 25-34 accounted for 36% of new HIV diagnoses.
Additionally, among all women in 2021, American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) women had the highest percentage (40%) of new HIV diagnoses attributed to injection drug use (IDU) when compared to other races and ethnicities.
To learn more about how the HIV epidemic impacts Native communities, explore these AIDSVu resources.
Infographic
2024 Theme
It’s all relative, our experience makes a difference.
Social Posts
- Today is National Native HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, a time to honor the strength and resilience of American Indian/Alaska Native communities impacted by HIV/AIDS. Let’s raise awareness, break down stigma, and support access to prevention, testing, and treatment. #NNHAAD
- Native communities are disproportionately impacted by HIV/AIDS, but we can make progress toward health equity through culturally responsive care and community-based initiatives. On National Native HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, let’s take action to end the HIV epidemic. #NNHAAD
- On National Native HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, let’s work to address the systemic barriers that limit access to care and resources for Native communities and strive for health justice for all. #NNHAAD
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Partner Resources
At the Biomedical Prevention Summit 2024, don’t miss the Native American/Alaska Native plenary, showcasing the groundbreaking work of the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium and the Urban Indian Health Institute. This session delves into their successes and challenges in providing holistic healing solutions to both Native and non-Native individuals living with HIV.
Tune in to an Instagram Live session (@nmachiv) with NMAC’s Christopher J. Paisano at 2:00 pm on March 20th, National Native HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, to get a sneak peek at themes that will be explored in the plenary.
