April 10th marks the annual observance of National Youth HIV & AIDS Awareness Day (NYHAAD). The theme this year is “Engaging Youth Voices in the HIV & AIDS Response.” Youth in the United States account for a substantial number of HIV infections. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1 in 4 new HIV infections occur in youth ages 13 to 24 years. Of those new infections, African American youth and young gay and bisexual men are most at risk, with nearly 60 percent of new infections being amongst African Americans and 87 percent being amongst young gay and bisexual males.
Many people get infected with HIV as a teen or young adult. Nearly 60% of all youth with HIV do not know they are infected, are not getting treated, and can unknowingly pass the virus on to others. The risk for HIV for most youth begins when they start having sex or injecting drugs. Strategies including encouraging condom use, delaying in sexual initiation, partner reduction, and early HIV testing and treatment can be effective in helping young people reduce sexual risk behaviors. As we mark this day, let’s recommit to taking action by investing in young people and encouraging their voices to be heard in this fight against HIV and AIDS.
For more information on NYHAAD, please visit: