IHS Publishes Public Health Reports Article on HIV in Native Communities

Staff at the Indian Health Service (IHS) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) collaborated on a study, Assessing New Diagnoses of HIV Among American Indian/Alaska Natives Served by the Indian Health Service, 2005-2014Exit Disclaimer that was published in Public Health Reports this month.

The objectives of the study were to use IHS data from electronic health records to analyze HIV diagnoses among American Indian/Alaska Natives (AI/ANs) and to identify current rates and trends that can support data-driven policy implementation and resource allocation for this population.

Using provider visit data on IHS clients, the IHS/CDC research team found that the rate of new HIV diagnoses was stable from 2010 through 2014. The data indicate that AI/ANs aged 20-54, particularly men, may benefit from increased HIV prevention and screening efforts.

These findings on HIV trends may help tribal, federal, and state health entities serving tribal nations better target efforts on HIV prevention, screening, and linkage to care among AI/ANs.

Study authors were: Brigg Reilley, MPH; Dana L. Haberling, MSPH; Marissa Person, MSPH; Jessica Leston, MPH; Jonathan Iralu, MD; Rick Haverkate, MPH; and Azfar-E-Alam Siddiqi, PhD.