Combating HIV without stigma

Article courtesy of the West River Eagle

As we work together to combat HIV in our communities, we are mindful of the language we use in public reports, educational materials, professional trainings, and community discussions. The words we choose influence how people are perceived, how services are delivered, and whether individuals feel safe enough to seek testing, treatment, and support.

One area that deserves particular attention is how we discuss people who inject drugs. When addressing HIV prevention, we must not isolate, stereotype, or unintentionally stigmatize this population. Public health reporting and training should identify health risks accurately without reducing people to their substance use history or suggesting that an entire group is responsible for the spread of HIV.

People who inject drugs are people first. They are members of our families, our communities, and our society. They deserve dignity, respect, healthcare, and the opportunity to recover and live healthy lives.

Language: opening doors or creating barriers

When reports or trainings repeatedly single out people who inject drugs without providing context, discussing prevention resources, or acknowledging barriers to healthcare, the message can unintentionally become one of blame rather than public health education. Our responsibility is to communicate the facts without creating additional barriers.

Stigma can discourage people from seeking HIV testing, discussing their health with providers, accessing sterile injection equipment where available, or pursuing substance use treatment and recovery services.

Instead of using language that defines individuals by their substance use, we should use respectful, person-first terminology, such as:

“People who inject drugs” rather than derogatory labels.

“People living with HIV” rather than language that defines someone by a diagnosis.

“People who may benefit from HIV prevention services” rather than language that assumes a person’s behavior or health status.

“People experiencing substance use challenges” when discussing broader treatment and recovery needs.

These distinctions are about maintaining professional standards, protecting human dignity, and supporting effective public health practices.

HIV prevention must include everyone

HIV prevention is most effective when education reaches everyone who may benefit from it. Sharing contaminated injection equipment can transmit HIV, but risk is associated with specific exposure circumstances—not a person’s worth, identity, or character.

Public health education should address evidence-based prevention strategies, including HIV testing, access to sterile injection equipment, substance use treatment, medications for opioid use disorder when appropriate, HIV treatment, and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for people who may benefit from it.

We must be able to discuss these issues honestly while remaining compassionate and respectful. People should never feel that accessing one service requires them to accept shame in another. Someone seeking substance use treatment should be able to receive HIV education without being judged.

Someone seeking HIV testing should be able to ask questions without fear that their information will become community gossip. And someone living with HIV should be able to participate in healthcare, behavioral health treatment, recovery groups, and community activities without unnecessary exclusion.

Public reports and professional trainings

When developing reports, presentations, funding proposals, staff education, or community awareness materials, we carefully examine how populations are described and how the information is presented. We never allow the way we communicate public health information to undermine the very prevention and treatment efforts we are trying to strengthen.

We ask ourselves:

Are we presenting accurate information about HIV transmission and prevention?

Are we identifying people by a risk behavior rather than treating them as a stereotype?

Are we acknowledging barriers to testing, prevention, and treatment?

Are we discussing available resources and solutions alongside identified risks?

Are we protecting confidentiality and avoiding unnecessary identification of individuals or small groups?

Are we using language that encourages people to seek help rather than fear being judged?

Are people with lived experience represented respectfully in the development of our educational materials?

A prevention campaign can address substance use while reinforcing that healthcare is available to everyone.

SD HIV prevention, testing, treatment and support resources

Combating HIV requires more than raising awareness. We must connect people with real services, support, and opportunities to receive care without shame or discrimination.

The following SD resources can help individuals, families, healthcare professionals, Tribal Health programs, and community organizations connect people with HIV-related services.

1. Heartland Health Resource Center (https://heartlandhealthsd.org/)

Provides HIV-related prevention, education, care coordination, and support for people living with HIV in South Dakota, individuals who may be at risk, and their families.

Services include assistance with Ryan White Part B and the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP), medical and non-medical case management, counseling, support groups, referrals, transportation assistance for eligible appointments, and help navigating healthcare and financial resources. Prevention services include education, testing information, and referrals for PrEP and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP). Eligibility and availability may vary. Call to ask about current services, eligibility, appointments, and assistance.

Sioux Falls office: 2500 W. 46th Street, Suite 101, Sioux Falls, SD 57105

Phone: (605) 271-4813

Rapid City office, 2834 Jackson Boulevard, Suite 102, Rapid City, SD 57702, Phone: (605) 791-1061

2. South Dakota Department of Health — HIV/AIDS Prevention Program (https://doh.sd.gov/topics/diseases-conditions/disease-prevention-services/hivaids/hivaids-prevention/) provides information about HIV prevention, confidential testing, prevention counseling, partner services, and statewide resources. Its Disease Intervention offices offer free and confidential HIV and sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing.

For HIV prevention program information, call (605) 367-7202. For statewide HIV/STI testing information, call 1-800-592-1861.

3. South Dakota Department of Health — Local Testing Offices

The Department of Health lists the following locations for free and confidential HIV/STI testing. Call ahead to confirm appointments and availability.

Aberdeen: 402 S. Main Street – 866-805-1007

Pierre: 740 E. Sioux Avenue, Suite 107 – 1-866-229-4927

Mitchell: 1420 N. Main Street – (605) 995-8051

Mobridge: 210 E. Grand Crossing, Suite A – 1-833-618-2740

Rapid City: 221 Mall Drive, Suite 102 – (605) 394-5298

Sioux Falls: 1501 S. Highline Avenue, Suite 1F – (605) 367-5363

Watertown: 2001 9th Avenue SW, Suite 500 – 1-866-817-4090

4. South Dakota Urban Indian Health (https://sduih.org/) provides integrated medical and behavioral healthcare, including HIV and STI testing and STI prevention education. Its services also include medication-assisted treatment, health promotion, and other primary care services. Contact the clinic to confirm current services, costs, and appointment requirements.

Pierre Clinic, 339 S. Pierre Street, Pierre, SD 57501

Phone: (605) 224-8841

Sioux Falls Clinic, 1200 N. West Avenue, Sioux Falls, SD 57104

Phone: (605) 339-0420

5. Healthy AF — South Dakota HIV and Sexual Health Resources (https://behealthyaf.org/) links to testing locations, information about HIV self-testing, and prevention resources for community members and healthcare professionals. Its approach emphasizes facts and support without shame or judgment. Helpful for public awareness campaigns, community education, and staff training.
6. CDC — HIV Stigma and Prevention Education (https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/health-equity/) provides educational materials about HIV stigma, prevention, transmission, and equitable access to care. These materials can help healthcare providers and community organizations develop accurate, respectful public reports and presentations.

A call to action for Tribal health and behavioral health services

In Tribal health, behavioral health, substance use treatment, and community wellness, our responsibility extends beyond identifying health concerns. We must create environments where people feel safe seeking help, where confidentiality is respected, and where education is delivered with cultural awareness and compassion.

We should strengthen connections between HIV prevention, primary care, behavioral health, substance use treatment, and recovery support—not separate or marginalize the people who need these services.

Every person deserves the opportunity to receive accurate information, make informed decisions, and access appropriate care.

We can acknowledge risk without assigning blame. We can promote accountability without humiliation. We can protect public health without isolating people.

Moving forward, lead with respect

Combating HIV requires trust, which grows when healthcare professionals communicate honestly, protect privacy, recognize the humanity of every person, and provide services without discrimination

People are not their diagnosis. People are not their past. People are not a label in a public health report. They are human beings deserving of dignity, compassion, and the opportunity to live healthier lives.

Education without judgment. Prevention without discrimination. Treatment without shame. Dignity for everyone.

This is how we move forward together.

The post Combating HIV without stigma first appeared on Native Sun News Today.

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