There are numerous ways to educate the youth about Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection including posters, brochures, comic books, coloring books videos, and other innovative approaches. However, American Indians and Alaska Native (Al/AN) youth often fail to relate to these types of educational approaches, primarily due to the lack of cultural relevancy. We will develop a culturally-relevant educational package designed specifically for Al/AN youth. This component-based educational package will be easily adapted for different grade/age levels and for different tribal/traditional culturals. It will also be easily duplicated and, most important, easily integrated into existing tribal alcohol an d substance abuse programs and health promotion/disease prevention programs.Awardee's statement of the potential commercial applications of the research:The educational materials could be utilized by Bureau of Indian Affairs, Tribally-operated, and public schools. In addition, the materials will be component-based and easily ad apted into existing programs. The return on investment results from the savings by schools which currently need to develop materials from scratch. National Center for Prevention Services (NCPS)
