National Native (American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian) HIV/AIDS Awareness Day: March 21

"A Celebration of Life...Protecting Our Future, Protecting Our People!"

March 21, 2007 marks the first annual National Native (American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian) HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. This day is an opportunity to increase awareness of the impact of HIV/AIDS on American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians.

HIV/AIDS continues to increase among Native people. Per population, American Indians/Alaska Natives have the third highest rates of HIV/AIDS behind Blacks and Hispanics. Native people are more likely to live in rural areas and many rural areas have limited HIV testing services. Stigma about HIV and fear of seeing people they know from their close communities at local health care facilities may also stop people from getting tested.

National Native HIV/AIDS Awareness Day is an opportunity for Native people and others to create a greater awareness of the risks of HIV/AIDS to their communities; to remember those who have passed; to acknowledge those who are infected and affected by HIV/AIDS; to call for increased resources for testing; and to seek support for increasing treatment and care options.

Native communities selected March 21st to commemorate National Native HIV/AIDS Awareness Day because it marks the start of spring, a time of beginnings and change. In Native cultures, seasons define the cycle and celebration of life. Ceremonies are usually held at the start and end of each season.

Resources are available to help Native and Native-serving organizations with designing HIV prevention programs, adapting Native culture to evidence-based behavioral interventions, mobilizing communities to become involved in HIV prevention through a community readiness model, and involving Native people and agendas in the community planning process.