HIV Alliance Observes National Native HIV/AIDS Awareness Day

HIV Testing is available Monday, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays at HIV Alliance.

Visit: hivalliance.org/prevention/testing

(EUGENE, OR) - On March 20th, the first day of spring, HIV Alliance will be recognizing National Native HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NNHAAD). NNHAAD is a national mobilization effort designed to encourage Natives (American Indians, Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiians) to get educated, get tested, get involved in prevention and get treated for HIV and AIDS.

Although American Indian/Alaska Natives account for less than 1 percent of the total number of HIV/AIDS cases reported nationally, this demographic ranks third in HIV/AIDS diagnosis rates. The rate of American Indian/Alaska Native AIDS diagnosis has exceeded that of whites since 1995. In 2012, among living Oreogn cases, the rate of HIV diagnosis amount this group was 9.7 per 100,000 vs 5.8 per 100,000 for whites.

The first day of spring was the chosen as the date to celebrate National Native HIV/AIDS Awareness Day by individuals in the community who had participated in a national survey to determine what day would be most appropriate. It was acknowledged that in many Native cultures across the United States that the four seasons are highly respected in many cultures because they closely represent the cycle of life. Spring also represents a time of equality and balance and is the only day when day and night are at equal lengths. It is considered a time of profound change, new beginnings and birth, a celebration of life for all people.

HIV Testing is available Monday, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays at HIV Alliance. All of our testing times can be found on our website at hivalliance.org/prevention/testing.

Sources:
http://public.health.oregon.gov/DiseasesConditions/CommunicableDisease/DiseaseSurveillanceData/HIVData/Documents/HIV_and_AI_2012.pdf
www.nnhaad.org/pages/history.html