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 2d Substance Abuse
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
  • American Indians and Alaska Natives ages 12 and older have the highest rates of substance abuse or dependence in the nation, as well as the highest rates of current illicit (such as methamphetamine, cocaine, marijuana) drug use. 32

  • Among youths aged 12 to 17, the rate of current illicit drug use was highest among American Indians or Alaska Natives, more than twice the overall rate among youths (26.0% vs. 10.6%). 32
  • Among persons 12 years of age or older, the highest rates of methamphetamine use were found among Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders and among American Indians/Alaska Natives between 2002 and 2004. 33
  • Hawaii is first in the nation in meth use by high school students; Hawaii leads the nation in meth addiction and use, and it is the only state that has a third generation of meth usage. 34

32 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Results from the 2004 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: National Findings. Rockville, MD: Office of Applied Studies, NSDUH Series H-28, DHHS Publication No. SMA 05-4062; 2005.

33 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Methamphetamine Use, Abuse, and Dependence: 2002, 2003, and 2004. Office of Applied Studies, NSDUH Report; September 2005.

34 Wellspring Newspaper, April 2006.