Working with a regional coalition to improve STD and HIV/AIDS prevention and control in Northern Plains tribal communities

This session will describe the process of working with the Aberdeen Area STD/HIV Task Force to create a regional strategic plan for STD and HIV/AIDS prevention and control in Northern Plains tribal communities. The task force is a regional coalition with representation from Indian Health Service (IHS), state Departments of Health, tribal health programs, community health representatives, universities, and national partners. The IHS Aberdeen Area extends over rural areas in four states – Iowa, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota. The strategic plan addresses clinical and community activities at the tribal, state and federal (IHS) levels. To create the plan, the task force worked as a group to define a common goal and identify challenges, unmet needs and available resources. To ensure tribal participation and input, the task force coordinator (presenter) held individual interviews with members and other community stakeholders to solicit input on the plan, in addition to regular conference calls. The coalition has been able to address areas of health disparity beyond STDs and HIV/AIDS such as methamphetamine use and hepatitis C, is helping to increase collaboration and communication between agencies, and is working to overcome challenges presented by scarce resources at all three levels. The task force is currently working on putting the strategic plan into action on all 18 reservations in the Aberdeen Area.