ANAC celebrates National Native HIV/AIDS Awareness Day

National Native HIV/AIDS Awareness Day

Native American HIV/AIDS Awareness Day is a vital opportunity to raise awareness about the impact of HIV/AIDS on Indigenous communities. This day serves as a call to action to promote culturally responsive healthcare, reduce stigma and improve access to prevention, testing and treatment services. Native American communities face unique healthcare challenges, including disparities in access to medical care and social determinants that affect health outcomes.Visit NNHAAD.org for more information and resources.

By honoring this day, we reaffirm our commitment to equitable, compassionate and community-driven HIV care that respects Indigenous traditions and strengths.

Kelly Pretty Weasel, RN

Director of Public Health Nursing

Years as an ANAC member: 1

Why does National Native HIV/AIDS Awareness Day mean to you?

It means a day specifically for Native Americans to promote and educate Native people about HIV and AIDS.

Why did you join the fight to end HIV/AIDS?

New recent cases were identified in our community and I wanted to learn all the latest updates to help our newly-diagnosed patients.

What does ANAC mean to you?

It means we are not alone and are in this together as a community

Do you have a mentor or mentors who have been instrumental to your career and, if so, whom and how?

Andrew Yu is the national HIV/HCV/STI clinical coordinator for the Indian Health Service Division of Clinical and Community Services. He helped me with our new cases and introduced me to ANAC.

Association of Nurses in AIDS Care | 800.260.6780 | anac@anacnet.org | nursesinaidscare.org