For Immediate Release
Media Contact:
Justin Burke -
213.201.1525
NATIVE COMMUNITY TO HOLD CULTURAL GATHERING ON WORLD AIDS DAY
‘Remembering Our Warriors’ to Feature Performances, Speakers and Memorial Display
Los Angeles, Calif., November 30, 2006 – Representatives of the Native community will gather on World AIDS Day for an event to remember those lost to HIV/AIDS.
The program, called “Remembering Our Warriors” will include cultural performances, a panel of speakers and a memorial display. Los Angeles is home to more than 100,000 urban American Indians, second only to New York City. The event is sponsored by the HIV Prevention Program of United American Indian Involvement, Inc, and The Red Circle Project at AIDS Project Los Angeles.
“Remembering Our Warriors” will be held Friday, December 1, 2006 from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm at United American Indian Involvement, Inc. (UAII), 1125 W. 6th Street, Suite 103, in Los Angeles. For information, call Roberto Barahona at (213) 202-3970, Ext. 7121 or Beth Powers at Ext. 7112.
Native Populations and Health Disparities
American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/ANs) have life spans 10 years shorter than those of the average U.S. population, a difference attributed to significantly higher rates of alcoholism, tuberculosis, diabetes, pneumonia and influenza.
Drug and alcohol abuse, combined with high poverty rates, create barriers to sufficient HIV care among AI/ANs. One-quarter of AI/ANs live in poverty and lack health insurance, more than any other racial group.
AI/ANs experience high rates of comorbidities for HIV infection, such as sexually transmitted infections, mental illness and chemical dependency. AI/ANs may have higher incidence of late AIDS diagnosis caused by delayed reporting.
About United American Indian Involvement
United American Indian Involvement, Inc. (UAII) is a private non-profit organization providing services to American Indians living within the greater Los Angeles area since 1974.
About The Red Circle Project
The Red Circle Project, a program of AIDS Project Los Angeles, fills a crucial HIV prevention gap by providing culturally competent resources, referrals, innovative materials and programming for Los Angeles Native American Gay/Two-Spirit Men. For more information, visit www.apla.org.
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