March 20 - National HIV/AIDS Awareness Day

Happy National HIV/AIDS Awareness Day! On March 20, this day brings many groups across the United States together to increase education and provide support in communities nationwide.  

Over 1.1 million people in America are living with HIV/AIDS. One in seven of them isn’t aware that they have it. Of the nearly 39,000 people diagnosed (CDC) with HIV in 2017, one percent were among the American Indian and Alaska Native populations.  

While those at the highest risk are gay and bisexual men who are sexually active, anyone not practicing safe sex is at risk. HIV is a virus that causes an infection, and AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) is a condition that can develop when someone contracts HIV. 

The campaign provides educational information, support options, and more. Clinics, support groups, and others join this National Day campaign to learn more about prevention, testing, and bringing attention to this national health issue. 

While treatment options have improved over the decades, prevention and testing are still necessary. 

HOW TO OBSERVE 

Organizations such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Native Capacity Building Assistance Network promote the day. They issue press releases, displaying posters, and holding community events for the day.  

The National Native American AIDS Prevention Center (NNAAPC) also teams up with various organizations nationwide to commemorate the day. 

Attend the events. Learn more about prevention and testing. Join the conversations and your community in raising awareness. 

Each year the communities of the American Indians, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiians: 

1. 
   
   1. Encourage Native people to get educated, learn more about HIV/AIDS, and its impact on their community. 

2. 2. Work together to promote testing options and HIV counseling in Native communities. 

3. 3. Help eliminate the stigma associated with HIV/AIDS. 

Use #NativeHIVAIDSAwarnessDay to post on social media. 

HISTORY 

In October 2006, the National Native CBA Network presented a resolution to the National Congress of American Indians, and it was approved. They held the first observance in 2007. 

For more information on National Native HIV/AIDS Awareness Day visit the websites below: 

http://www.cdc.gov/features/nativehivaids/ 

http://www.nnaapc.org/news/awareness-day.htm  

#NativeHIVAIDSAwarenessDay 

@CDC 

@NNAAPC 

@ncai1944 

@KeepItSacred 

@nichecinema