Utah: American Indian Center, Harm Reduction Project to Track HIV/AIDS Cases

Suspecting that HIV/AIDS cases among Utah's Native American population may be underreported, health officials are hoping a new federal grant will allow them to get a more accurate picture of the epidemic. The Indian Walk-in Center in Salt Lake City and the Harm Reduction Project received a $330,000 CDC grant to begin a two-year project in search of data reflecting the extent of HIV/AIDS in Utah's Indian population.

Among the state's 30,000 Indians counted in the last census, just 10 American Indians or Alaska Natives reported having HIV from 721 cases statewide. Utah's 2,188 AIDS cases include 26 Indians or Alaska Natives, according to 2004 statistics from the state Department of Health. Dena Ned, executive director of the Indian Walk-in Center, is concerned that American Indians may not be receiving life-saving information and services they need to protect them from HIV/AIDS.

The two groups will partner to provide free HIV testing out of the Walk-in Center's downtown Salt Lake office, which serves urban Indians and tribal members who come into the city for services. The agencies hope to test 1,000 people a year for two years. Ned said center employees will ask all clients if they would like to be tested, regardless of their risk factors for contracting HIV/AIDS. "It's going to give us a realistic picture," said Ned.

Back to other news for September 23, 2004