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Young people between the ages of 13
and 24 represent more than a quarter of new HIV infections each year (26
percent) and most of these youth living with HIV (60 percent) are unaware they
are infected, according to a Vital Signs report from the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention. The most-affected young people are young gay and
bisexual men and African–Americans, the report says.
The analysis looks at the latest
data on HIV infections, testing, and risk behaviors among young people and was
published in advance of World AIDS Day, Dec. 1.
Despite recommendations from CDC and
the American Academy of Pediatrics that call for routine HIV testing of youth
in medical settings, the analysis shows that 35 percent of 18-24 year olds have
been tested for HIV, while only 13 percent of high school students (and 22
percent of sexually experienced students) have ever been tested.
Additionally, an analysis of data on
risk behaviors among high school students in 12 states and nine large urban
school districts found that young men who have sex with men reported engaging
in substantially higher levels of risk behavior than their heterosexual male peers.
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is
dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and
empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV
virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
TOGETHER WE REMAIN STRONG!
