Half of all new HIV infections are believed to occur in people under the age of 25.1 For young people, it is critical to prevent patterns of risky behaviors before they start. Scientists believe that cases of HIV infection diagnosed among 13- to 24-year-olds are indicative of overall trends in HIV incidence (the number of new infections in a given time period, usually a year) because this age group has more recently initiated high-risk behaviors.2
In 2004, African American youth were disproportionately affected by HIV infection, accounting for 55% of all HIV infections reported among persons aged 13–24.3
Young men who have sex with men (MSM), especially those of minority races or ethnicities, were at high risk for HIV infection. In the 7 cities that participated in CDC’s Young Men’s Survey during 1994–1998, 14% of African American MSM and 7% of Hispanic MSM aged 15–22 were infected with HIV.4
Runaways and other homeless young people are at high risk for HIV infection if they are exchanging sex for drugs or money.5
Clearly, HIV prevention efforts must be sustained and designed to reach each new generation of Americans.
Featured Links
Replicating Effective Programs Plus: TLC – Together Learning Choices: A small group-level intervention with young people living with HIV/AIDS
From CDC’s Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention
http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/topics/prev_prog/rep/packages/TLC.htm
Replicating Effective Programs Plus: ¡Cuídate! – A Culturally-Based Program to Reduce HIV Sexual Risk Behavior among Latino Youth
From CDC’s Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention
http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/topics/prev_prog/rep/packages/!cuidate!.htm
HIV Infection in Adolescents and Young Adults in the U.S.
From the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
Guidelines for the Use of Antiretroviral Agents in Pediatric HIV Infection
This report addresses the pediatric-specific issues associated with antiretroviral treatment and provides guidelines to healthcare providers caring for infected infants, children, and adolescents.
http://aidsinfo.nih.gov/ContentFiles/pediatricGuidelines.pdf (Added March 16, 2004)
HIV/AIDS Among Youth
From the Divisions of HIV/AIDS Prevention of the National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention
http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/resources/factsheets/youth.htm
Status of Perinatal HIV Prevention: U.S. Declines Continue
From the Divisions of HIV/AIDS Prevention of the National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention
http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/topics/perinatal/resources/factsheets/perinatal.htm
Preventing HIV/AIDS among Adolescents through Integrated Communication Programming
From United Nations Population Fund
http://www.unfpa.org/upload/lib_pub_file/224_filename_hiv_adolescents02.pdf
Drugs + HIV: Learn the Link. Send the Message
From the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
http://www.hiv.drugabuse.gov/
Meeting the Needs of Young Clients: A Guide to Providing Reproductive Health Services to Young Clients
From Family Health International
http://www.fhi.org/en/RH/Pubs/servdelivery/adolguide/index.htm
HIV/AIDS Surveillance in Adolescents (through 2005)
Slide set from the Divisions of HIV/AIDS Prevention of the National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention
http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/topics/surveillance/resources/slides/adolescents/index.htm
HIV Transmission & Prevention in Adolescents
Pub. Date Dec, 2002.
http://hivinsite.ucsf.edu/InSite?page=kb-07&doc=kb-07-04-03
Thrive Guide: A Survival Manual for Young People Living With HIV
Originally by Health Initiatives for Youth. Reviewed & Updated Mar., 2004.
http://whatudo.org/whatudo?page=learn-01-09
Sexually Transmitted Infections: Get the Facts
From Advocates for Youth
http://www.advocatesforyouth.org/youth/health/stis/index.htm
HIV/STI Prevention and Treatment among Youth in the U.S.
From Advocates for Youth
http://www.advocatesforyouth.org/hivsti.htm
Adolescents and HIV/AIDS
From Advocates for Youth
http://www.advocatesforyouth.org/publications/factsheet/fshivaid.htm
1
National Office of Aids Policy. Youth and HIV/AIDS 2000: A New American Agenda
2
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Promotion. Chronic Disease Notes and Reports, Winter 2001.
3
CDC. HIV Prevention in the Third Decade. Atlanta: US Department of Health and Human Services, CDC; 2005.
4
CDC. HIV Prevention in the Third Decade. Atlanta: US Department of Health and Human Services, CDC; 2005.
5
CDC. HIV/AIDS Among Youth Fact Sheet, June 2006.
