National Council of Urban Indian Health
1 Massachusetts Avenue NW
Suite 800-D
Washington, DC 20001
Phone: 202.544.0344
HIV/STIs Syndemic Resource Guide
The HIV epidemic continues to affect millions of Americans every year. Of those affected, AI/AN people have the highest rate of undiagnosed cases compared to other racial/ethnic groups in the U.S. AI/AN health data is consistently underestimated due to racial misclassification – lack of access to testing accounts for some of this disparity. According to the Urban Indian Health Institute (UIHI), only 21% of urban Natives have received Urban Indian Organization (UIO) HIV testing services in their lifetime. This prevalence of undetected cases leads to an increased risk of HIV-related death among AI/AN people. Despite these disparities, it can be difficult to find effective, high-quality, and culturally appropriate AI/AN-specific HIV syndemic resources. In order to alleviate some of this difficulty, we have created this resource toolkit. This guide is meant to be a working document. Just as HIV best practices change with new research and information, so will this guide. Please feel free to contact us with suggested updates and resources. This is meant to be a tool for you!
STI Service Guidance for Indian Health Care Providers
This document provides a concise overview of best practices for delivering STI services at UIOs based on a survey conducted last year by NCUIH, which assessed the STI service capacities, challenges, barriers, and opportunities for improvement across the 41 UIOs. More information can be found here: https://ncuih.org/STIFinalReport
This publication was supported by grant number 6NU50CK000601-02-01 funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the CDC or the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
HIV and STI Videos
Condom Use
HIV Myths and Facts
Traditional Healing
Year 1 CoL Series: The Red Ribbon Campaign: Uniting American Indian and Alaska Native Communities to Eliminate HIV/AIDS
This interactive three-part series will provide a special focus on providing support and resources to the frontline practitioners fighting to eliminate HIC/AIDS in Indian Country. This series will also provide forums for participants to learn about and discuss innovative resources and best practices in the reduction of stigma in the community, providers, and support systems and emphasize increasing outreach and testing services, and hear the stories from the frontlines of our urban Indian communities.
Strengthening the Ribbon: A Primary Care Approach to Eliminating
Objectives:
- Provide insight into integrating clinical intervention and treatments for addressing and eliminating the HIV/AIDS epidemic
- Supplementing existing knowledge on ways providers can support HIV/AIDS care and treatment provision
Presenters:
- Dr. Jorge Mera, Director of Infectious Diseases | CNHS
- Jessica Leston, Clinical Programs Director | NPAIHB
- David Stephens, BSN, RN, ECHO Clinic Director | NPAIHB
Broadening the Ribbon: Innovative Resources and Effective Strategies to Eliminate HIV/AIDS in Indian Country
Objectives:
- Supplement existing knowledge and provide insight into integrated and culturally-competent HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and education programs
- Understand how to navigate provider and community stigma around HIV/AIDS in a culturally-competent way
- Discuss the successful creation of safe, accessible, patient-centered care environments for patients, their partners, and their families
Presenter:
- Robyn Sunday-Allen, CEO | Oklahoma City Indian Clinic
Sharing the Ribbon: Best Practices from the Frontlines
Objectives:
- Understand how to increase and maintain behavioral health support programs for AI/ANs living with HIV/AIDS
- Emphasize how tailored resources and campaigns successfully address unique community needs around HIV/AIDS
- Enhance UIO participant knowledge in providing integrated and culturally competent HIV/AIDS care
Presenters:
- Linda Son-Stone, CEO | FNCH
- Mattee Jim, HIV Prevention/Support Services Coordinator | FNCH
Year 2 CoL Series: Nurturing the Three Sisters: Community, Culture, Connection in Urban Indian HIV Care
Join NCUIH for an interactive three-session series, Nurturing the Three Sisters: Community, Culture, Connection in Urban Indian HIV Care. Participants will cultivate knowledge on principles of indigenous harm reduction, community resources for gender and sexual minorities, and HIV’s connections with other health and wellness concerns.
Rooted in Resilience: Urban Indian Harm Reduction for HIV Prevention
Objectives:
- Discuss principles of Indigenous harm reduction
- Utilize harm reduction principles in your clinic practice
- Recognize opportunities to counteract stigma in their communities
Presenter:
- Jessica Rienstra, RN, EHCO Case Manager | NPAIHB
Growing Strong Together: Creating 2SLGBTQIA+ Inclusive Health Care Services
Objectives:
- Identify challenges faced by LGBTQ2S patients
- Differentiate between affirming sexual health history taking practices and stigmatizing language
- Apply affirming language & improved structures at your clinic
Presenters:
- Hannah Warren, MPH, HIV/STD Prevention Program Manager | ANTHC
- Cornelia “Connie” Jessen, MA, Alaska Indigenous Research Program Director | ANTHC
*Slides Not Available
Branching Out: Wellness Programming for Patient-Centered HIV-Care from an Urban Indian Perspective
Objectives:
- Describe the impacts of SDAIHC’s community integrated wellness programming
- Integrate HIV screening procedures into your existing clinic practice
- Discuss the ways in which HIV is interconnected with other health and wellness concerns
Presenters:
- Ethan Landry, Wellness Coordinator and PrEP Navigator | SDAIHC
- Jennifer Khong, Public Health RN Case Manager | SDAIHC
Additional Materials and Links for Other AIDS/HIV Grant Events
Harvesting Hope: Strengthening HIV Services in Urban Indian Communities
2019 Listening Session: Eliminating Hepatitis C and HIV in Indian Country: A Focus on Urban Indian Health
P2PSC: Chaha’oh/Gathering of People
Standing Together to Address Urban Indian STI Disparities
Partnership Opportunities for UIOs
The National Council of Urban Indian Health (NCUIH) invites Urban Indian Organizations (UIOs) to attend this first event in the “Standing Together to Address Urban Indian STI Disparities” series to learn about NCUIH’s new STI project activities and services. At this session, UIOs will learn about STI disparities that disproportionately impact Urban Indian populations, hear about opportunities for partnerships to improve STI services, and share insight into barriers and challenges related to STI care.
Objectives:
- Increase knowledge of STI disparities that disproportionately impact Urban Indians
- Increase UIOs’ awareness of, and interest in, participation in NCUIH’s opportunities for STI service improvement
- Gain insight into UIOs’ perspectives on barriers and challenges related to STI services
Presenters:
- Sophie Chishty, Public Health Associate, NCUIH
- Mattie Curry (Blackfeet Tribe), Public Health Program Manager, NCUIH
Strengthening Syphilis Care in Indian Country
Get prepared for an exciting and engaging STI Community of Learning training series that aims to empower AI/AN populations facing disparities in STI rates, prevention, and treatment. This groundbreaking initiative seeks to extend resources and foster dynamic collaborations that will drive tangible results. Join us as we embark on a transformative journey together!
Immerse yourself in a vibrant Community of Learning where UIOs (Urban Indian Organizations) will receive top-notch training, gain access to invaluable resources, and participate in an exchange of information and insights like never before. Together, we will tackle challenges, share innovative solutions, and pave the way for enhanced STI services and capacities.
Objectives:
- To improve UIOs’ knowledge of syphilis disparities that affect American Indians and Alaska Natives, with a focus on Urban Indian populations
- To enhance understanding of syphilis pathology and epidemiology among UIO clinicians
- To increase UIOs’ awareness of culturally relevant syphilis resources
Presenter:
- Jessica Leston, MPH, Clinical Programs Director at Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board
Improving Culturally Competent Sexual Health Communication in Urban Indian Care Settings
Discover a new dimension of culturally responsive sexual health communication in urban Indian care settings at the upcoming virtual event hosted by the National Council of Urban Indian Health (NCUIH). Join us for insights from expert Mattee Jim of First Nations Community Healthsource, as healthcare providers and public health professionals from Urban Indian Organizations (UIOs) gather to learn about impactful recommendations and resources. Let’s strengthen the dialogue around sexual health, fostering understanding and healthier communities.
Objectives:
- To improve knowledge of recommendations and strategies for enhancing cultural humility in sexual health communication
- To increase awareness of resources and tools for culturally responsive sexual health communication
- To foster collaboration and connections between stakeholders involved in Urban Indian sexual health service provision
Presenter:
- Mattee Jim (Dine), First Nations Community Healthsource
This website is made possible by the Minority HIV/AIDS Fund through the Indian Health Service.