The AIDS movement has changed the way society thinks about the link between disease and social forces, the politics of public health and the importance of community involvement in programming, research, funding and policymaking.
Despite our achievements in the fight against HIV/AIDS, recent CDC data has shown that Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have the highest percentage increase of HIV/AIDS diagnoses. In the five year period between 2000 and 2005, there was a 47 percent increase in new AIDS cases diagnosed among Asian American and Pacific Islander communities, the largest percentage increase among all racial groups.
There are cultural, linguistic, economic and legal barriers to HIV prevention, testing, and care among Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders. Cultural avoidance of discussing issues of sexual behavior, illness, and death can prevent Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders from obtaining life-saving information and services.
APIAHF works to decrease the barriers to accessing services and care and helps community-based organizations and health departments improve their ability to develop cultural and language appropriate programs and direct services in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
APIAHF works to address the major challenges that our communities have systematically faced in HIV/AIDS through capacity building efforts via one-to-one consultations, skills building trainings, peer based coaching and mentorship opportunities, and referrals to culturally and linguistically competent resources.
Breaking Through the Silence: Key Issues and Recommendations to Address HIV/AIDS Among AAs and NHPIs in the U.S.
