Young People and HIV: A Call to Action

HIV is having a significant impact on young people, among whom the rate of new diagnoses is high and health disparities are more pronounced. Incidence is increasing among young gay and bisexual men, and, among Black males, the largest percentage of new infections occur among those aged between 13 and 24 years. Youths are least likely to experience the health and prevention benefits of treatment. Nearly half of young people with HIV are not diagnosed; among those diagnosed, nearly a quarter are not linked to care, and three quarters are not virally suppressed. Addressing this burden will require renewed efforts to implement effective prevention strategies across multiple sectors, including educational, social, policy, and health care systems that influence prevention knowledge, service use, and treatment options for youths.