National Native American HIV/AIDS Awareness Day - March 20
National Native HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NNHAAD) is a national mobilization effort designed to encourage American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians across the United States and Territorial Areas to get educated, get tested, get involved in the prevention, and get treated for HIV.
NNHAAD was founded in 2007 by three collaborating agencies whom at the time were called the National Native Capacity Building Assistance (CBA) Network, which included Commitment to Action for 7th-Generation Awareness & Educations (CA7AE), Inter Tribal Council of Arizona, Inc. (ITCA), and National Native American AIDS Prevention Center (NNAAPC).
The three network agencies were funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to provide capacity-building assistance to Native organizations, tribes, state health departments, and any Native-serving organizations. Since the founding of NNHAAD, the collaborative partnership has grown to include Albuquerque Area Indian Health Board, Inc., Begaye Consulting, Center for Prevention and Wellness, Council Oaks Training and Evaluation, Inc., ETR’s Community Impact Solutions Project, Florida Department of Health – HIV Section, Great Plains Tribal Chairmen’s Health Board, Northwest Portland Indian Health Board, and Indian Health Service National HIV/AIDS Program.
Why the First Day of Spring?
The first day of Spring was chosen as the date to celebrate National Native HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. This day was chosen by individuals in the community who had participated in a national survey to determine what day would be most appropriate. It was acknowledged that in many Native cultures across the United States, the four seasons are highly respected because they closely represent the cycle of life. Spring also represents a time of equality and balance and is the only day when day and night are at equal lengths. It is considered a time of profound change, new beginnings, and birth; A celebration of life for all people.
The cycle of life is defined by the change in seasons, and ceremonies are held to recognize the passing of one season and the beginning of another.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
Of the 39,782 HIV diagnoses in the United States in 2016, 1 percent (243) were among American Indians & Alaska Natives. Of those, 81 percent (198) were men and 19 percent (45) were women. Of the 198 HIV diagnoses among American Indians & Alaska Natives men in 2016, most (77 percent; 152) were attributed to male-to-male sexual contact. Most of the 45 HIV diagnoses among American Indians & Alaska Natives women in 2016 were attributed to heterosexual contact (69 percent; 31).In 2016, 102 AIs/ANs were diagnosed with AIDS. Of them, 75 percent (77) were men and 24 percent (24) were women.
Challenge Faced by Natives
American Indians and Alaska Natives represent about 1.3% of the United States population and less than one percent (186) of the HIV diagnoses in 2018 in the US and dependent areas. However, the number of HIV diagnoses has increased over time.
Awareness of HIV Status
An estimated 81 percent of American Indians and Alaska Natives living with HIV in 2015 had received a diagnosis. It is important for everyone to know their HIV status. People who do not know they have HIV cannot take advantage of HIV care treatment and may unknowingly pass HIV to others.
Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)
From 2012 to 2016, American Indians and Alaska Natives had the second highest rates of chlamydia and gonorrhea among all racial/ethnic groups. Having another STD increases a person's risk for getting or transmitting HIV.
Stigma and Confidentiality
American Indians and Alaska Native gay and bisexual men may face culturally based stigma and confidentiality concerns that could limit opportunities for education and HIV testing, especially among those who live in rural communities or on reservations.
Alcohol and Illicit Drug Use
Alcohol can reduce inhibitions and impair judgment and lead to behaviors that increase the risk of being diagnosed with HIV. Injection drug use directly increases the risk of HIV through contaminated syringes and works.
Compared with other racial/ethnic groups, Natives tend to use alcohol and drugs at a younger age, use them more often and in higher quantities and experience more negative consequences from them.
Socioeconomic Issues
Poverty, including limited access to high-quality housing, directly and indirectly increases the risk for HIV infection and affects the health of people living with and at risk for HIV infection. Compared with other racial/ethnic groups, American Indians and Alaska Natives have higher poverty rates, have completed fewer years of education, are younger, are less likely to be employed, and have lower rates of health insurance coverage.
Data Limitations
Racial misidentification of American Indians and Alaska Natives may lead to the undercounting of this population in HIV surveillance systems and may contribute to the underfunding of targeted services for American Indians and Alaska Natives.
Cultural Diversity
There are over 560 federally recognized American Indians and Alaska Natives tribes, whose members speak over 170 languages. Because each tribe has its own culture, beliefs, and practices, creating culturally appropriate prevention programs for each group can be challenging.
HIV Stigma and Discrimination
HIV stigma is negative attitudes and beliefs about people with HIV. It is the prejudice that comes with labeling an individual as part of a group that is believed to be socially unacceptable.
Here are a few examples:
- Believing that only certain groups of people can get HIV
- Making moral judgments about people who take steps to prevent HIV transmission
- Feeling that people deserve to get HIV because of their choices
HIV stigma and discrimination affect the emotional well-being and mental health of people living with HIV. People living with HIV often internalize the stigma they experience and begin to develop a negative self-image. They may fear they will be discriminated against or judged negatively if their HIV status is revealed.
“Internalized stigma” or “self-stigma” happens when a person takes in the negative ideas and stereotypes about people living with HIV and start to apply them to themselves. HIV internalized stigma can lead to feelings of shame, fear of disclosure, isolation, and despair. These feelings can keep people from getting tested and treated for HIV.
What Causes HIV Stigma?
HIV stigma is rooted in a fear of HIV. Many of our ideas about HIV come from the HIV images that first appeared in the early 1980s. There are still misconceptions about how HIV is transmitted and what it means to live with HIV today.
The lack of information and awareness combined with outdated beliefs lead people to fear getting HIV. Additionally, many people think of HIV as a disease that only certain groups get. This leads to negative value judgments about people who are living with HIV.
What Can Be Done About HIV Stigma?
Talking openly about HIV can help normalize the subject. It also provides opportunities to correct misconceptions and help others learn more about HIV. But be mindful of how you talk about HIV and people living with HIV.
We can all help end HIV stigma through our words and actions in our everyday lives. Lead others with your supportive behaviors. Check out CDC’s Let’s Stop HIV Together stigma scenarios for tips on what you can do when you witness stigma. You can also make a pledge to stop HIV stigma by downloading a pledge card to customize and post on your website, blog, and social media channel.
Sources:
https://www.apa.org/pi/aids/resources/native-american-awareness