HIV/AIDS and Native Americans: The Health Departments' Response

Abstract

For some time, state health department HIV/AIDS programs have worked with communities of color to address their unmet needs. Because of the need for a holistic approach to the multiple issues impacting these communities, efforts to address HIV/AIDS in Native American communities are often integrated into programs addressing related issues, such as substance abuse, mental health and other STDs. Building upon arecent report from the National Alliance of State and Territorial AIDS Directors (NASTAD), this article will review the numerous challenges state and local health departments face in supporting HIV/AIDS-focused health and human services in Native American communities and how some health departments have worked with Native American communities to respond to these challenges. A series of recommendations and next steps for health departments seeking to improve services in Native American communities will be offered.

Keywords:

• collaboration
• health departments
• HIV
• mental health
• Native Americans
• STDs
• substance abuse