HIV/AIDS infection rates of American Indians are among the highest in the nation, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The infection rate for Natives is 11.2 per 100,000, nearly one and one-half times the rate for whites and more than twice the rate for Asians. Only African-Americans and Hispanics have higher rates.

Former Surgeon General David Satcher said death rates are also higher. He attributes the disparity to late diagnoses and less access to aggressive treatment.

The rates reported by the CDC may be lower than the real ones. Health experts say HIV/AIDS cases are often undercounted due to racial misidentification.

Get the Story:
The AIDS time bomb is ticking on reservations (Gannett News Service 1/11)
Gender, sexual identity complicate AIDS education among American Indians (Gannett News Service 1/11)

Relevant Links:
National Native American AIDS Prevention Center - http://www.nnaapc.org
AIDS FAQ, Centers for Disease Control - http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/pubs/faqs.htm
AIDS Programs, Indian Health Service - http://www.ihs.gov/medicalprograms/aids
Minority risk to AIDS, Centers for Disease Control - http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/graphics/minority.htm

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