I Am Empowered - I am the National Urban League

World AIDS Day is Saturday, December 1, 2012

What are HIV and AIDS?

HIV is the human immunodeficiency virus. It is the virus that can lead to acquired immune deficiency syndrome, or AIDS. For more information, click here.

What's At Stake?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released a new Vital Signs report showing that more than one-quarter (26%) of all new HIV infections in the United States occur among those aged 13-24, and the majority (60%) of youth living with HIV do not know they are infected.  
 
The Vital Signs report, published in advance of World AIDS Day (Dec. 1), includes the latest data available on HIV infections, testing, and risk behaviors among young people.  It shows that an estimated 12,200 young Americans became newly infected with HIV in 2010, with African American youth and young gay and bisexual men particularly hard-hit.  In addition, few young people have been tested for HIV.  An analysis of risk behavior among high school students also found that gay and bisexual male students engaged in significantly higher levels of risk behavior than their heterosexual male peers.
 
The new data indicate that intensified HIV prevention and testing efforts among young people are needed to ensure that they have the knowledge and skills they need to avoid infection.  

How Can You Help?

Know the Facts:

• Read and Share (CDC Press Release): More than half of young HIV-infected Americans are not aware of their status — Too many young people continue to become infected and few are tested for HIV
• Read and Share (CDC): Vital Signs report "Testing, and Risk Behaviors Among Youths — United States"
• Read and Share (CDC): Vital Signs fact sheet on HIV among young people

Know Your Status:

• Get Tested: Find an HIV and STD Testing Site Near You

Take Action:

• Share the facts, begin the conversation and encourage your community to know their status.

(Sources: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)