How are Native youth being impacted by sexually-transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV/AIDS?
JY: Native youth are drastically being impacted by STIs and HIV/AIDS because of “social determinants of health” or what I like to call “what we already know and have experienced for quite some time.” Poverty, racism and poor access to services all influence our health outcomes. In Canada’s Northwest Territories, we see Chlamydia rates in the aboriginal population at 11 times the national average. Also, over 25% of new HIV infections are in Aboriginal youth. In the United States, Native Americans represent just over 1% of the population yet have the third highest rate of HIV infection in the country. This is precisely why we need culturally competent, integrated and relevant services – not just something that has a feather or medicine wheel on it and is labeled “Native.” Part of what motivated me to start the Native Youth Sexual Health Network was looking around and not feeling represented in sexual and reproductive health outside of disease control. Prevention and awareness are not jus
