Attendees at a
conference in Anchorage, Alaska, focusing on HIV's
impact on Native Americans and Alaskan Natives said
Wednesday that culturally sensitive HIV education and
prevention programs must be developed to help fight
the rising infection rates among native peoples. "HIV/AIDS
is rapidly becoming a terrible predator in Native
communities, and most of these communities are
unprepared to protect themselves," Jack Whitescarver,
director of the National Institutes of Health's
Office of AIDS Research, said during his keynote
speech, reports the Associated Press.
The HIV
prevalence rate among American Indians and Alaska Natives is
about one third higher than the rate among white Americans,
according to the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention. The high infection level is linked to high
rates of other sexually transmitted diseases and high
substance abuse rates, which can lead to risky sexual
behavior and transmission of the virus, say
researchers.
About 1,000
people are attending the conference, titled
"Embracing Our Traditions, Values, and
Teachings: Native Peoples of North America HIV/AIDS
Conference," which runs through Saturday. In addition
to HIV education and prevention, other topics to be
discussed at the event include HIV stigma, mental
health issues, and spirituality. (The Advocate)