Project Red Talon works to prevent human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and Hepatitis C virus (HCV). The project has provided training and technical assistance to tribes and tribal organizations throughout the U.S. on implementing and evaluating culturally appropriate sexual health and STI/HIV prevention programs since 1988. The project is funded by the IHS HIV Program.
The primary goal of this project is to promote sexual health and wellness for AI/AN people by disseminating and implementing effective programs from a socio-ecological framework, addressing systems, communities, organizations, individuals and policies. The quality improvement project works with partners across the nation to:
For over 26 years, Project Red Talon has provided training and technical assistance to the NW tribes on implementing and evaluating culturally appropriate STI/HIV prevention programs. The first STI/HIV prevention project at the NPAIHB started in 1988 with an AIDS Knowledge, Attitude, and Behavior (KAB) survey. This was followed by a CDC-funded HIV/STI prevention project. Over the years, NPAIHB has been instrumental, both regionally and nationally, in making HIV, HCV and STI prevention a priority issue at regional and national Indian health meetings. Other completed projects include:
The Red Talon STI/HIV Coalition was active from 2005-2011. Tribal Action Plans were actively used by the NW tribes and partnering agencies to guide program planning, catalyze community outreach, and foster a coordinated response to STIs and HIV/AIDS in our tribal communities.
In 2012, Project Red Talon and THRIVE established the NW Native Adolescent Health Alliance, an inclusive, multi-functional group that now meets quarterly to discuss cross-cutting planning and prevention strategies targeting AI/AN teens and young adults (addressing tobacco, substance abuse, STI/HIV, teen pregnancy, and suicide topics). Our goal is to support regional action planning, resource development, and sharing in OR, WA, and ID.
The Alliance is guided by a multidisciplinary Action Plan:
It has been recognized for some time that American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/AN) are disproportionately impacted by high rates of HIV, HCV and sexually transmitted diseases (STIs). In 2011, the estimated rate (per 100,000 population) of HIV infection diagnoses among AI/AN males was greater (18.0) than the rate for white males (14.5). The rate per 100,000 population among AI/AN females was greater (5.5) than for white females (2.0). During 2002–2010, the incidence rate of acute hepatitis C remained below 0.5 cases per 100,000 for all racial/ethnic populations except AI/ANs. Rates for AI/ANs have been higher than for other races/ethnicities, especially in 2010 and 2011.
In 2015, the chlamydia rate for AI/AN was 709.1 cases per 100,000 population, 3.8 times the rate among Whites. On average, chlamydia rates were stable during 2011-2015. The gonorrhea rate increased by 71.3% among AI/AN from 2011-2015. In 2015 the gonorrhea rate was 192.8 cases per 100,000 population, which was 4.4 times the rate among Whites. There was also an increase (90.3%) of Primary & Secondary syphilis (P&S) for AI/AN during 2011-2015. In 2015, the P&S syphilis rate among AI/AN was 5.6 cases per 100,000 population, 1.4 times the rate among Whites. A 19.5% decrease of congenital syphilis rates was observed among AI/AN during 2014-2015. However rates are still 2.3 times the rate among Whites, with a rate of congenital syphilis of 10.3 cases per 100,000 live births among AI/AN.
Data Resources
Sexual Health Social Marketing campaigns can be found on the Board’s media page.
Native It’s Your Game (IYG) is an evidence-based multimedia sexual health program for AI/AN youth 12-14 years old. The project is funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Administration for Children and Families (ACF). More information can be found on the project page.
Native STAND is a comprehensive curriculum for Native high school students that promotes healthy decision making. The curriculum is highly interactive and skills-based, and focuses on STI/HIV and teen pregnancy prevention, while also covering drug and alcohol use, suicide, and dating violence. Sessions focus on positive personal development, including team building, diversity, self-esteem, goals and values, healthy decision making, negotiation and refusal skills, and effective communication. It was designed to train peer-educators in the 10th grade, but has been successfully used by Tribes in other settings and adapted for other grade levels.
The videos can be used in conjunction with the Native STAND curriculum, or on their own to prompt discussion with teens. A teacher’s guide for the videos is available here: Native STAND Teacher’s Guide
Native VOICES is a 23-minute, evidence-based video designed to prevent HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases. The video was designed to encourage condom use and improve condom negotiation skills among heterosexual and LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer) American Indian teens and young adults 15–24 years old. The culturally tailored video covers important sexual health topics, including: Talking to your partner about sex, STI testing, Defining and enforcing personal values, and Healthy relationships.
School-Based Screening. Developed by the Indian Health Service STI Program, the manual provides ideas, checklists, case studies, and tools for tailoring a school-based screening project to the needs and resources available to your tribe.
The IHS/CDC Screening Policy and Treatment Protocol is a collection of documents that can be used to guide the standard delivery of STI/HIV screening and treatment in I/T/U clinics.
The documents were produced by Cardea, in partnership with the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium; IHS National STI Program; JSI Research & Training Institute – Region VIII IPP; Project Red Talon at the Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board; and the Phoenix Indian Medical Center.
The clinical practices included in the IHS/CDC Screening Policy and Treatment Protocol play an integral role in reducing STI/HIV transmission in our tribal communities. Please contact Project Red Talon for technical assistance or examples demonstrating how these policies have been successfully implemented other I/T/U settings. Your support and use of these policies are invaluable to the health of our communities.
Related Resources:
The NW AIDS Education and Training Center offers an extensive HIV Web Study
(See: http://depts.washington.edu/hivaids/). The website features over 60 interactive case studies that cover a broad array of topics related to the clinical care of HIV-infected persons. Each topic includes case studies, discussion points, high-quality illustrations, and graphics, references, and links. The site also offers free CME credit.
University of Washington offers Hepatitis C online training modules for CE credit, from screening and diagnosis to treatment: http://www.hepatitisc.uw.edu/alternate
The Seattle STI/HIV Prevention Training Center offers a variety of STI/HIV trainings and preceptorships throughout the Northwest: http://depts.washington.edu/seaptc/course_list.shtml
The Indian Health Service HIV Program has links to several training resources: http://www.ihs.gov/hivaids/index.cfm?module=training Their Online Training Modules are aimed at “increasing the awareness, knowledge, and skills of providers; AI/AN people living with HIV/AIDS; and community members interested in learning about HIV”: http://www.ihs.gov/hivaids/toolkit/ihs_toolkit_people_menu.htm
Be Safe. An AI/AN HIV Cultural Competence Model is available through the National Minority AIDS Education and Training Center (NMAETC) or: Download the Model
HIV Prevention, Early Intervention and Health Promotion: A Self Study Module for Health Care Personnel Serving Native Americans. Available through the Mountain-Plains AIDS Education and Training Center (MPAETC) or: Download the Study Module
We’d love to hear from you. For more information, email the Program with the form below.
