Health Fact Friday: Did You Know that March 20, 2018 is National Native HIV/AIDS Awareness Day?

March 20 is National Native HIV/AIDS Awareness Day

National Native HIV/AIDS Awareness Day

National Native HIV/AIDS Awareness Day was first observed in 2007. This day is observed on the first day of Spring each year. March 20, 2018 marks National Native HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, a time to recognize the impact of HIV/AIDS on Native Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians (collectively referred to as Native people). According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 1 in 5 Native Indians and Alaska Natives who were living with HIV in 2013 were unaware of their HIV-positive status. Thus National Native HIV/AIDS Awareness Day is set aside each year to promote HIV education and testing in Native communities. For more information on the current statistics of HIV/AIDS in the Native communities, follow this link Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).