Resources for 2023 National Native HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
Topics
On World AIDS Day 2022, the National HIV/AIDS Program for the Indian Health Service (IHS) coordinated the release of the Indigenous HIV/AIDS Syndemic Strategy: Weaving Together the National HIV, STI, and Viral Hepatitis PlansExit Disclaimer(PDF, 3.62MB). Referred to as the Indigi-HAS, the Strategy complements the existing National HIV/AIDS Strategy, and includes additional very specific topics important to Indigenous communities. It adopts a syndemic approach, addressing HIV, hepatitis C virus, and sexually transmitted infections in an integrated way. As we recognize National Native HIV/AIDS Awareness (NNHAAD), we offer resources that recognize the impact of HIV among Native populations and highlight the work happening in communities around the country to engage Native people, including American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians, in fully ending the HIV epidemic.
The theme for the 2023 observance of NNHAAD, which is recognized annually on the first day of Spring and falls on March 20 this year, is Weaving Our Horizon: Strength. CommUnity. Equity. NNHAAD gives hope and support to people in communities throughout America regarding HIV, draws attention to those with HIV, and honors those who have been lost.
HISstory, HERstory, THEIRstory, OURSTORY: Storytelling as Resilience
The IHS, the Minority HIV/AIDS Fund, and HHS provided support to Kua`aina Associates, which partnered with the Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board to produce OURSTORY, a celebration of life told through tradition oral/storytelling. Watch two of the videos we are highlighting from the initiative. In HISstory, Brad Lum, an HIV long-term survivor and HIV/AIDS community leader, discusses how he continues to thrive despite his diagnosis. Watch Brad’s videoExit Disclaimer. Lisa Tiger, an HIV and AIDS educator and advocate, shares HERstory, and discusses the journey she made from resistance to acceptance regarding HIV treatment. Watch Lisa’s video to hear moreExit Disclaimer.
OURSTORY aims to: (1) increase HIV knowledge and awareness about prevention, (2) promote early diagnosis, (3) increase access to treatment for HIV, (4) stimulate discussion of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) uptake for HIV prevention, (5) address stigma barriers, and (6) document and preserve stories for future generations.
Additional Resources
- The IHS National HIV/AIDS Program coordinates and promotes HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment activities specific to Indigenous communities as part of a comprehensive public health approach. Visit the site to learn more.
- The National Native HIV Network resources page provides information from various federal partners, including the CDC, IHS, the Minority HIV/AIDS Fund, and HIV.gov. You may view the site hereExit Disclaimer and read the fact sheetsExit Disclaimer about HIV in Native communities.
- Read IHS’ Two-Spirit web page to learn more about the term and how it is used to describe gender-variant members of Native communities.
Join in Observing National Native HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
Join the conversation on social media platforms by using the hashtag #NNHAAD. You can also follow these handles for your NNHAAD messages and resources:
Twitter: @HIVgovExit Disclaimer
www.facebook.com/IndianHealthServiceExit Disclaimer