Empowering Health: Introducing a New HIV and PrEP Education Campaign For American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/ANs)
By: NPAIHB HIV Program Staff
Knowledge and proactive measures play a crucial role in building a healthier future. The Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board HIV Program is thrilled to share our latest initiative: an empowering health education and outreach campaign focused on HIV awareness and the importance of medicines like Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) and Antiretroviral Therapy (ART).
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Despite significant advancements in treatment and understanding, HIV remains a pressing health concern due to HIV-related stigma and barriers to screening and treatment. The goal of the campaign is simple yet crucial: to educate, engage, and empower American Indians and Alaskan Natives (AI/ANs) by providing accessible, culturally respective, accurate information about HIV transmission, prevention, and the role of effective medications like PrEP, PEP, and ART.Â
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Destigmatizing HIV
Understanding HIV is the foundation of this campaign and is intended to combat stigma by fostering a supportive environment based in education and knowledge. The campaign aims to dispel myths and misconceptions surrounding HIV while emphasizing the importance of testing, treatment, and safer sex practices.Â
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The Wonders of PrEP & PEP
PrEP & PEP, revolutionary preventive medications, have transformed the landscape of HIV prevention. Through our campaign, we’ve highlighted the effectiveness of PrEP & PEP in reducing the risk of HIV transmission when taken as prescribed. We provide insights into its accessibility in Indian Country, efficacy, and the importance of regular sexual health checkups while using PrEP & PEP.
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U = UÂ
Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) is a groundbreaking medicine that lowers the amount of HIV in a person’s body until it’s undetectable and no longer transmittable to others. This is called U = U (Undetectable = Untransmittable). Through this arm of the campaign, we dispel HIV stigma by raising awareness about ART – its efficacy, accessibility in Indian Country, and the importance of regular sexual health checkups while using ART.Â
Why This Matters
At its core, this campaign is about empowerment and fostering a culture of proactive health. By equipping individuals with accurate information about HIV, PrEP, PEP, and ART, we aim to improve HIV testing and reduce new diagnoses of HIV for AI/AN people, break down barriers to prevention and treatment access, and create more informed and supportive communities.
Engaging Communities
Community engagement lies at the heart of our efforts. The campaign will be disseminated via our networks of public health professionals, tribal leaders, and advocates to engage AI/AN communities. We aim to ensure everyone has access to this vital information and resources.
Get Involved!
We invite you to join us on this impactful journey towards healthier communities. Spread the word and engage in conversations about HIV, PrEP, PEP, and ART. Together, we can make a difference in combating HIV and promoting more inclusive, informed, and healthier communities.
Let’s empower each other and create a future where HIV is a thing of the past and preventive measures like PrEP, PEP, and ART are widely utilized.
For more information or questions about the campaign, please contact Alicia Edwards, HIV Program Manager, at aedwards@npaihb.org.
