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March 21, 2007

National Native HIV/AIDS Awareness Day

Today is the first annual National Native HIV/AIDS Awareness Day - "A Celebration of Life...Protecting Our Future, Protecting Our People". The start of Spring represents a time for change and new beginnings. It represents an opportunity to increase awareness of the impact of HIV/AIDS on American Indian, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians. Here are some facts that I learned today:

- Despite having the smallest population, American Indians/Alaska Natives have the third highest rates of HIV/AIDS diagnoses following Blacks and Hispanics.

- Women accounted for 29% of the HIV/AIDS diagnoses among American Indians and Alaska Natives.

- Of persons diagnosed with AIDS during 1997– 2004, American Indians and Alaska Natives survived a shorter time than Asians and Pacific Islanders, whites, or Hispanics.

For more information, please read the CDC March 2007 fact sheet on HIV/AIDS among American Indians and Alaska Natives available at
http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/resources/factsheets/aian.htm

Posted by hlook at March 21, 2007 04:09 PM

Comments

You know who would be very interested in reading this, Helen? A very dedicated fellow I know through UMHS Diversity by the name of Steve Raymond. Do you mind if I forward it to him? /anna

Posted by: schnitzr at March 23, 2007 05:44 AM

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