A report on recommendations to improve HIV/AIDS services to American Indians, Native Americans, Alaskan Natives, and Native Hawaiians.

Not One More [pdf]

Wednesday, February 3, 2010, 4-7PM.

American Indian Community House
11 Broadway, 2nd Floor
New York, NY 10004
212.598.0100 ext. 236

Appointments encouraged, please call or email dallen@aich.org to schedule an appointment. Walk-ins welcome but subject to vaccine availability.

Provided by Callen Lourde Community Health Center, The American Indian Community House, Northeast Two-Spirit Society, and GMHC.

[download flyer]

Cause of H1N1 Mortality Related to Ongoing Overall Health Disparities

WASHINGTON, DC - A study recently published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report showed that Native Americans and Alaska Natives are four times more likely to die from H1N1 than members of other racial and ethnic groups. This is of particular concern for Native American and Alaska Native adults and adolescents living with HIV - especially those with low CD4 cell counts or AIDS - since people living with HIV may experience more severe complications from seasonal influenza and, quite possibly, H1N1 infection.

“This latest epidemic is just one more disease Native peoples have had to endure,” says Harlan Pruden, Co-Founder and Council Member of NorthEast Two-Spirit Society, based in New York City, and member of the National People of Color HIV/AIDS Working Group (POC). “The unspoken sad reality is that the death of one person could mean the death of one’s people. For Native people, this is a matter of cultural survival. We call on allies, policy-makers, and private and public leaders to stand with our community at this time to confront not only H1N1, but many of the underlying co-factors that create an environment where a simple flu can wipe us from this land.”

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America is undeniably a multicultural country. We have known this for a long time, but this fact really “jumped off the page” during the 2008 election cycle. It is something to appreciate and celebrate. But there also is no denying that for counselors in the addiction field that fact presents challenges as well. This issue of Resource Links tries to put those challenges in perspective and turn them into opportunities-opportunities for counselors to grow personally and to expand their knowledge and skills in the area of cultural competency and relevance.

The article is titled “Community is Healing and Healing is the Community” and begins on page 6. It is available for free at www.ireta.org

http://www.whitehouse.gov/administration/eop/onap/action/

President Obama is committed to developing a coordinated, measurable and successful National HIV/AIDS Strategy (NHAS) to address the HIV epidemic in the United States (including Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and the US Territories). This requires enlisting the help of many communities and individuals across the United States to provide input into the NHAS. The Office of National AIDS Policy (ONAP) is announcing an online ‘Call to Action: Americans Speaks About HIV/AIDS’ to encourage community-based organizations, faith-based organizations, schools, businesses, research institutions and other groups to hold their own discussions about the strategic steps we need to take as a nation to respond to the HIV/AIDS epidemic.

What you can do?

1. Brainstorm ideas and identify specific action steps that address the three National HIV/AIDS Strategy goals to reduce HIV incidence, increase access to care and optimize health outcomes for people living with HIV, and reduce HIV-related health disparities.
2. Develop recommendations for each National HIV/AIDS Strategy goal that could be fulfilled by the federal government, state and local governments, non-profits, businesses and other entities.
3. Write a summary of your group’s recommended action steps for each goal of the National HIV/AIDS Strategy.
4. Type your recommendations directly into the web site comment field or upload a Word or PDF file with your recommendations directly on to the ONAP web site.

How will submissions ONAP receives from the “Call to Action” be used?

This information will be considered and evaluated during the drafting of the National HIV/AIDS Strategy. We will summarize submissions to the “Call to Action” and the Community Discussions in a report that highlights common themes expressed by participants.

How long will the ONAP website be accepting submissions for the “Call to Action”?

The “Call to Action” started on October 2, 2009. The ONAP website will receive public input submissions until November 13, 2009.

Visit the ONAP website to submit a comment!

Empire State Pride Agenda Foundation along with NorthEast Two-Spirit released the findings of a first-ever statewide assessment of LGBT health and human services needs. The assessment was undertaken by Somjen Frazer Consulting to identify gaps and disparities in how the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community accesses health and human services. For a copy of this report, click here or click on the above image.

Among issues identified as problems for LGBT New Yorkers are healthcare access, homelessness, hate violence and social isolation. The needs assessment also showed how particular groups within the LGBT community—transgender people, people of color, youth and seniors—are particularly affected in adverse ways.

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Are you in recovery? Would you like to share your story in 500 words or less?

By sharing your story, you can inspire hope in the lives of those still struggling with drugs, alcohol or gambling. The questions provided below are suggested only as a guide to assist you in the storytelling process and are not required to share your story.

• What was the turning point at which you chose to begin your pathway to recovery?
• How did you overcome the challenges you faced?
• What do you want to share with others about recovery?
• Describe your life now compared to your life before recovery.
• What do you want to accomplish in your recovery?

Feel free to share your story at iamrecovery.com.

Take a short survey on LGBT health and human services issues at: www.nylgbtsurvey.org.

Be a part of a historic effort to research and document the needs of LGBT New Yorkers to ensure those needs don’t go unaddressed by government and health and human service providers. The information you provide will go toward fighting for policy changes and funding to make services to LGBT people in New York equitable and LGBT-friendly.

This survey is open to all LGBT New Yorkers ages 18 and over.

Enter for a chance to win a $50 Amazon gift card with your completed survey! Information provided for the raffle will be confidential and not linked to your survey responses.

For more information or to receive paper surveys, e-mail Somjen Frazer consulting@somjenfrazer.com.

This survey is a project of the Empire State Pride Agenda, the NYS LGBT Health and Human Services Network, and Somjen Frazer Consulting.

From the left, Crisosto Apache, Matthew Reed and Travis Goldtooth of the Two Spirit Society of Denver drum during a blessing Sunday at the National Conference on GLBT Equality.( Brian Brainerd, The Denver Post )

By Jessica Fender
The Denver Post

“We’ll say ‘I can’t,’ cause we can’t say ‘I do,’ ” four bouffant-clad drag queens doo-wopped to a familiar tune on stage at Denver’s Grand Hyatt. “Locked out of the chapel of love.”

A national gathering of 2,000 gay and lesbian activists wrapped on a high note Sunday with the comedic crooning of The Kinsey Sicks quartet, an appearance by U.S. Rep Jared Polis and more than one joke about disgraced spiritual leader Ted Haggard.

The lighthearted end to four days of community-outreach training provided a much-needed shot in the arm for a group that suffered ballot-initiative disappointments in California and other states, said conference organizer Sue Hyde.

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Let Obama know what you think of our health care system!

We are seeking public comments and input at a Community Health Discussion

Thursday, January 22nd
4-8pm

American Indian Community House
11 Broadway
NY, NY 10004

Light refreshments and snacks will be provided

Your input is important

• If you had to choose, what would your priorities be to improve Indian health care services especially in the city?
• What services would you like to see added or enhanced?
• What are the main obstacles in accessing health care?
• Most importantly, what would you say to the President if he asked you how to fix these problems?

For more info contact Harlan Pruden at harlan@ne2ss.org or 646.351.7360