March 20, 2010, is National Native HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, and marks the fourth annual observance. The day was created to raise awareness about how HIV/AIDS affects American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) people.
The Day is organized and implemented by The National Native American AIDS Prevention Center (NNAAPC), Colorado State University's Center for Applied Studies in American Ethnicity Commitment to Action for 7th-Generation Awareness & Education: HIV Prevention Project (CA7AE), and Inter Tribal Council of Arizona, Inc. (ITCA).
According to CA7AE, the purpose of the awareness day is to:
- Encourage Native people to get educated and to learn more about HIV/AIDS and its impact in their community
- Work together to encourage testing options and HIV counseling in Native communities
- Help decrease the stigma associated with HIV/AIDS
- AI/ANs ranked third in the estimated rate of new HIV infections (14.6 per 100,000 persons) in 2006, despite having the smallest population.
- In 2007, Native Hawaiians/other Pacific Islanders were second in the estimated rate of HIV/AIDS at 34.6 per 100,000, behind only the black/African American population.
Data Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. HIV/AIDS Surveillance Report, 2007. Vol. 19. Atlanta: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; 2009
- Distribute posters, fact sheets, and other materials in clinics and community centers and at events
- Plan or participate in an awareness event
- Spread the message through the media and online
