Module 3: Epidemiology of HIV/AIDS among Native Communities

Goal of Module 3:
To help you identify how and why HIV/AIDS spreads in your Native community in order to strengthen your intervention.

Epidemiology is the study of the ways in which a disease progresses through a population. In order to plan and carry out an effective intervention, you must understand how and why people in your community become infected with and spread HIV.

In this module, you will find:

  • an article on epidemiology as it relates to American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians
  • Fast Facts that offer useful statistics and information
  • Fact Sheets that offer statistics for specific Native populations
  • resources for further research on the epidemiology of HIV/AIDS
  • exercises that provide steps toward learning about epidemiology in your community

 
Contents 2a Fast Facts: HIV/AIDS among American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians
1.

Epidemiology of HIV/AIDS among AI/AN/NHs:


2. Fast Facts about the Epidemiology of HIV/AIDS for AI/AN/NHs:
3. Fact Sheets
 

HIV/AIDS among AI/ANs in Alaska
 

HIV/AIDS among AI/ANs in Arizona
 

HIV/AIDS among Native Americans in California
 

HIV/AIDS among Native Americans in Minnesota
 

HIV/AIDS among AI/ANs in New Mexico
 

HIV/AIDS among Native Americans in New York
 

HIV/AIDS among Native Americans in North Carolina
 

HIV/AIDS among AI/ANs in Oklahoma
 

HIV/AIDS among Native Americans in Washington
4. Finding Data
4a. Resources
4b. Module 3 Exercises

HIV/AIDS Statistics

  • From the beginning of the epidemic through 2005, an estimated 1,657 American Indians and Alaska Natives died of AIDS. 20
  • In 2005, AI/ANs had the 3rd highest rate of AIDS diagnoses at 10.4 per 100,000 persons compared to African Americans at 71.3 per 100,000, Hispanics at 27.8 per 100,000, whites at 8.8 per 100,000, and Asian/Pacific Islanders at 7.4 per 100,000. 21
  • From the beginning of the epidemic through 2005, an estimated 3,238 AIDS cases were reported among AI/ANs. 21
  • In 2005, there were an estimated 2,055 AI/ANs living with HIV/AIDS. The number of AI/AN people living with HIV/AIDS may actually be higher because the estimate only includes HIV data from 33 states. 20
  • Of persons diagnosed with AIDS since 1997-2004,, AI/ANs survived for a shorter time than Asian/Pacific Islanders, Whites, and Hispanics. As of 2005, 67% of AI/ANs were alive compared to 66% of Blacks, 72% of Hispanics, 75% of whites, and 81% of Asian/Pacific Islanders. 21
  • Life expectancy for AI/ANs is shorter than that of any other race/ethnicity.21
  • Health professionals are now paying closer attention to HIV infection data in an effort to enhance and improve prevention and care services. As of 2005, cumulative data shows 799 HIV infection (not AIDS) cases for AI/AN males and 332 for AI/AN females. 20, 22, 23, 24
  • Due to national reporting limitations, the data presented for Native Hawaiians is only for the state of Hawaii. Hawaiians/Part-Hawaiians represent 8.6% of the state population and account for 11% (302) of the total reported AIDS cases as of June 30, 2005. The proportion of Native Hawaiian cases has increased from 10.7% before July 1995 to 13.0% during the period from July 2000 – June 2005. 25

20 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. HIV/AIDS Surveillance Report, 2005 (Vol. 17). Rev ed. Atlanta: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, CDC: 2007.

21 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. HIV/AIDS Surveillance Report, 2004 (Vol. 16). Atlanta: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, CDC; 2005.

22 Human Rights Campaign. HIV/AIDS & HRC: two decades of fighting for life. Wash DC: Human Rights Campaign Publication; 2000.

23 Vernon IS, Thurman P. The changing face of HIV/AIDS among Native populations. J. Psychoactive Drugs. 2005; 37:247-255

24 Centers for Disease Control. HIV Prevention in the Third Decade; 2004. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/resources/reports/hiv3rddecade/index.htm.

25 Hawaii Department of Health. HIV/AIDS Surveillance Semi-Annual Report for Hawaiian/Part-Hawaiian AIDS Cases to June 30, 2005. Honolulu: Hawaii Department of Health, HIV/AIDS Surveillance Program; 2006.