Efforts Seek To Raise HIV/AIDS Prevention Awareness Among American Indians, Blacks, Increase Hispanic Blood Donor Supply

Main Category: HIV / AIDS
Also Included In: Blood / Hematology
Article Date: 26 Jan 2009 - 1:00 PDT

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The following highlights efforts that seek to reduce racial and ethnic health disparities.

• National Native American AIDS Prevention Center: The NNAAPC has launched a new online resources guide designed to help American Indian groups develop programs aimed at preventing the spread of HIV/AIDS among American Indian populations, the Native American Times reports. The resources guide, called "HIV Prevention Media, Curricula and Resources for Native Youth," include curricula for prevention programs, educational DVDs and PowerPoint presentations that have culture- and age-appropriate information. The materials and tools were developed by NNAAPC and other organizations (Morrow, Native American Times, 1/22).
  
  
• South Texas Blood and Tissue Center: STBTC has launched a campaign called "Mi Sangre Es Tu Sangre," which aims to recruit more Hispanic blood donors, the San Antonio Express-News reports. More than half of all Hispanics might have what is known as the "universal blood type" -- O negative -- according to research by the University of Texas Medical Branch-Galveston. However, fewer than 6% of eligible Hispanics actually donate in part because of misconceptions, according to the Express-News. The campaign will aim to address any misconceptions and also will offer education on certain health issues such as cholesterol and hemoglobin levels (Villa, San Antonio Express-News, 1/15).
  
  
• Vallejo, Calif.: Several organizations in Vallejo are expected next month to offer no-cost HIV testing in the black community in commemoration of Black History Month and National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, the Vallejo Times-Herald reports. National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day is Feb. 7 and this year's awareness theme is "Black life is worth saving." Several groups are planning for the two-day event, including the Solano County Health and Social Services Department, Santa Ana College, Homecare for the Homeless, Planned Parenthood and a local Baptist church, which will be one of two locations offering HIV tests, according to the Times-Herald (Banes, Vallejo Times-Herald, 1/19).
  

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