This Sunday, March 20^th, the Indian Health Service (IHS) joins American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities, Native Hawaiian communities, and the nation in observing the fifth National Native HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. Originally coordinated by Tribal organizations across the country, recognition of this day has been adopted by native and non-native communities throughout the country as an opportunity to:

• raise local HIV awareness
• educate others about HIV prevention and testing
• improve the health and future of AI/AN communities

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently released an updated report on HIV/AIDS in the United States. This report shows that AI/AN people diagnosed with HIV or AIDS continue to experience a shorter life span than other Americans living with HIV or AIDS.

These numbers are not just statistics. They represent our friends, neighbors, and families. Every AI/AN person whose life is threatened, shortened, or harmed by HIV is one of us. The IHS mission to raise the physical, mental, social, and spiritual health of American Indians and Alaska Natives to the highest level requires that we partner with communities to end the HIV/AIDS epidemic.

It is through local partnerships that IHS has been able to develop and support an expanded HIV testing initiative that links programs to training, resources, policy, and a growing network of other implementers. Expanded testing and early diagnosis, allow us to improve the health of individuals living with HIV/AIDS by providing the best available treatment as soon as possible. It also can strengthen local HIV education efforts by beginning conversations about preventing new infections.

The focus of all our partnerships is to prevent the spread of HIV and help those who are living with HIV. This includes our collaborative work with Federal colleagues in implementing the National HIV/AIDS Strategy for all of your tweets around this observance.