At the end of December 1998, there were 1940 cases of AIDS reported in Indian Country. 224 The number of actual HIV cases is even higher. Many American Indians and Alaska Natives do not know their HIV status. The numbers are misleading and probably higher due to confidentiality issues in testing, lack of access to testing sites, denial of HIV risk and American Indians being classified as Latino or Caucasian. Better HIV test reporting is needed to understand how American Indians are being affected in the Northwest.
Many states have mandatory names reporting.
Confidentiality continues to be an issue. American Indians and Alaska Natives can participate in HIV prevention through involvement at State Community Planning meetings where funding issues and target populations are prioritized. Community Planning Groups meet on a regular basis in every state as required by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. For more information regarding the Community Planning Groups contact Shawn Jackson, Project Red Talon. Downtown 319 SW Pine Street Portland, OR 97204.