Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is the virus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). HIV weakens your immune system, which makes it hard for your body to fight off other health problems that it could normally resist. As time goes on, your body becomes less capable of fighting off diseases. HIV is beginning to rise in American Indian and Alaska Native communities. New cases of AIDS are higher for American Indians and Alaska Natives than for Whites and Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders, but lower than for African Americans and Hispanic Americans/Latinos.

CDC recommends taking these steps to protect yourself:

*If you are sexually active (having oral, anal, or vaginal sex), use latex condoms to reduce your chances of getting HIV.
*Drug users who cannot or will not stop injecting drugs should use new, sterile syringes to prepare and inject drugs.
*If you are getting a tattoo or having your body pierced, ask what procedures they use to prevent the spread of HIV.

Publications

1. HIV/AIDS & Native Americans (Copyright © NMAC) - This booklet discusses the growth of HIV/AIDS cases among Native American populations. It contains statistical information about the tribal, geographic, demographic, educational, economic and social factors contributing new HIV/AIDS cases.

2. What Are Women's HIV Prevention Needs? (Copyright © University of Califrornia) - This fact sheet contains information on what places women at risk for HIV infection, barriers to prevention, different methods of protection, and what needs to be done to decrease the transmission of HIV. Discusses abstinence, barrier methods and microbicides.

Organizations

1. American Red Cross: HIV/AIDS Education

2. CDC National AIDS Hotline, ASHA, NCHSTP, CDC, HHS

3. Indian Health Services

4. National Indian Women's Health Resource Center (NIWHRC)

5. National Minority AIDS Council, NMAC

6. Office of Minority and Women's Health, BPHC, HRSA, HHS