March 20th marks National Native HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NNHAAD)—a day dedicated to raising awareness about HIV prevention, testing, and treatment in indigenous communities. It is a time to honor Indigenous resilience, challenge stigma, and advocate for equitable healthcare access.
At Save Our Families, we recognize that Indigenous communities face unique barriers to HIV care, including systemic inequities, healthcare access disparities, and cultural stigmatization. Today, we reaffirm our commitment to harm reduction, education, and ensuring that all individuals have access to life-saving resources.
Understanding the Impact of HIV in Native Communities
HIV disproportionately affects Indigenous populations due to historical and systemic healthcare disparities. According to the CDC:
- American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities experience higher rates of HIV compared to non-Hispanic white populations.
- Limited access to culturally competent healthcare, stigma, and discrimination contribute to lower testing and treatment rates.
- Nearly one in five AI/AN individuals diagnosed with HIV are unaware of their status.
- Barriers such as poverty, rural isolation, and underfunded healthcare services impact timely HIV prevention and care.
These statistics highlight the urgent need for targeted prevention efforts, community-led interventions, and expanded access to medical care.
Breaking Stigma: The Importance of Culturally Competent Care
For many Native individuals, HIV-related stigma prevents people from seeking testing and treatment. Addressing these challenges requires:
✅ Community-Based Solutions: Indigenous-led health initiatives that provide culturally appropriate education and care.
✅ Expanded HIV Testing and Prevention Services: Making testing accessible and normalizing routine screenings.
✅ Two-Spirit and LGBTQ+ Inclusion: Recognizing and supporting the unique healthcare needs of Two-Spirit and LGBTQ+ Native individuals, who face even greater stigma and barriers.
✅ Accessible Harm Reduction Services: Ensuring that harm reduction strategies—such as syringe exchanges and PrEP access—are available in Indigenous communities.
Through culturally affirming education and a commitment to decolonizing healthcare, we can improve health outcomes and ensure that Native individuals have the support they need.
Take Action This NNHAAD
1️⃣ Get Tested: Knowing your status is the first step in prevention and treatment. Visit a local clinic or check out Save Our Families’ HIV/STI Resource Page for testing locations.
2️⃣ Learn About Prevention Options:
- PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis): A medication that helps prevent HIV.
- PEP (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis): Emergency medication that reduces the risk of HIV after exposure.
- Safe Practices: Harm reduction strategies, including clean syringe access and safer sex education.
3️⃣ Challenge Stigma & Spread Awareness:
- Talk about HIV facts to counter misinformation.
- Advocate for expanded healthcare access in Native communities.
- Support Indigenous-led health initiatives working to improve HIV prevention and care.
Honoring Strength, Protecting Health, Building a Future Without HIV
On National Native HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, we honor the resilience of Native communities while advocating for better access to prevention, care, and support. Through education, harm reduction, and culturally centered care, we can work toward ending HIV disparities in Indigenous communities.
Learn more, take action, and help us create a future where everyone can access the care they deserve.
📍 Find HIV/STI resources near you: saveour.family/hiv-sti-resources
Written by : Save Our Families
