Working to Address HIV/AIDS in Native American Communities
Dr. Ronald Valdiserri
As we observe National Native American Heritage Month, we salute our federal and community partners working to address these HIV/AIDS trends in the American Indian and Alaska Native populations. Some highlights include:
- With nearly $4 million awarded from the Secretary’s Minority AIDS Initiative Fund in fiscal year 2012, the Indian Health Service (IHS) is working across its programs to promote and increase HIV testing and expand the capacity of IHS health centers to diagnose and treat HIV/AIDS, including individuals co-infected with viral hepatitis. Other activities are focused on re-engaging Native persons living with HIV in HIV care as well as enhancing the continuity and quality of care to people living with HIV/AIDS who have co-occurring substance abuse service needs.
- The HIV/AIDS Bureau (HAB) of the Health Services and Resources Administration (HRSA) is implementing a special HIV care training initiative for health care providers serving American Indian or Alaska Native populations through the existing national network of AIDS Education and Training Centers. This training activity is also supported by the Secretary’s Minority AIDS Initiative Fund.
- Several community health centers serving Native American populations are engaged in intensive HIV/AIDS care and treatment capacity building efforts through the HRSA-funded National Center for HIV Care in Minority Communities
(NCHCMC). The NCHCMC is working with federally supported community health centers serving communities of color to reduce HIV related health disparities by expanding HIV care and treatment capacity at the community level and facilitating linkages to care. Among the Native American-serving sites participating are the Southern Indian Health Council
and the Sacramento Native American Health Center
in California, the Kyle Health Center in South Dakota, and South Dakota Urban Indian Health
.
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