HIV Information and Youth

In the United States, 21% of new HIV diagnoses in 2018 were among young people aged 13-24 years. Eighty-seven percent of youth who received a new HIV diagnosis were young men and 13% were young women.
Getting tested for HIV is an important step toward prevention; however, testing rates among high school students remain low. Only 9% of U.S. high school students have ever been tested for HIV.

Young People need to know their HIV status as it gives them powerful information to stay healthy

Testing can connect youth who are negative to HIV prevention resources. Testing positive means connecting to health services and taking medicine to treat HIV. Taking HIV medicine as prescribed can make the amount of HIV in blood (viral load) very low—so low that a test can’t detect it (called an undetectable viral load). Getting and keeping an undetectable viral load is the best thing to do to stay healthy.

Sexual Risk Behaviors Can Lead to HIV, STDs and Teen Pregnancy

From 2007 to 2017, CDC data showed declines in sexual risk behaviors among high school students, including fewer who are currently sexually active. The percentage of high school students who ever had sex decreased from 48% in 2007 to 40% in 2017. However, many young people engage in health-related behaviors that can result in unintended outcomes.

Declines in condom use: Condom use among sexually active students decreased from 62% in 2007 to 54% in 2017, presenting a serious health risk for HIV and STDs.
Substance use and high-risk behaviors: Young people may engage in high-risk behaviors, such as sex without a condom or medicine to prevent or treat HIV, when under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Nationwide, 19% of all students who are currently sexually active (had sexual intercourse during the previous 3 months) and 20% of male students who had sexual contact with other males drank alcohol or used drugs before their most recent sexual intercourse.
Some young people are at higher risk: Some young people, including lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) youth, often remain at greater risk for negative health outcomes. For example, 15% of LGB students have had sex with four or more partners during their life, compared to 9% of heterosexual students.

Addressing HIV in youth requires that young people are provided the skills they need to reduce their risk, make healthy decisions, and get treatment and care if needed.

NYHAAD Resources

April 10th is National Youth HIV & AIDS Awareness Day (NYHAAD). NYHAAD is the first annual observance day set aside to recognize the impact of the HIV/AIDS epidemic on young people.

This page contains information that is helpful in planning communication activities to inform and educate partners, stakeholders, and media about HIV in youth and the importance of recognizing the impact of the disease on young people.

Campaign Resources

Social Media

Twitter: @CDC_DASH
Facebook: CDC HIV
Pinterest: CDC Healthy Youth

Schools Can Help Prevent HIV

Schools play a critical role in promoting the health and safety of youth. The nation’s schools provide an opportunity for 56 million students to learn about the dangers of unhealthy behaviors and to practice skills that promote a healthy lifestyle. Because schools reach millions of students in grades 9-12 every day, they are in a unique position to help youth adopt behaviors that reduce their risk for HIV, STDs, pregnancy and other related problems.

Some ways to encourage youth to stay healthy are to:

Teach students about HIV and other STDs
Promote communication between youth and their parents
Support student access to confidential HIV counseling and testing services. Schools are important partners in supporting HIV testing among youth.

How can schools encourage students to get tested for HIV?

Use health risk behavior data to prioritize needs
Teach students about HIV and other STDs
Connect students to health services that include HIV testing and counseling
Encourage students and their parents to talk about HIV

What Can You Do?

Young people need to understand their risk and know how to protect themselves against HIV.

Get educated. Learn the basic facts about HIV transmission, testing, and prevention.
Get talking. Talk with parents, teachers, doctors, and other trusted adults about HIV and sexual health.
Get tested for HIV. CDC recommends that everyone between the ages of 13 and 64 years get tested for HIV at least once as part of routine health care. Contact your health care provider about testing.
Get medicine. If you test positive for HIV, get support, seek treatment, and stay in care to remain healthy and prevent passing the virus to others.

Families, schools, and community- and school-based organizations and health centers must work together to help provide safe and nurturing environments for youth.