• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
BlackDoctor.org
Where Wellness & Culture Connect

Where Wellness & Culture Connect

  • Health Conditions
  • Wellness
  • Lifestyle
  • Longevity
  • BDO TV
  • Find A Doctor
  • Subscribe
Home / Health Conditions / HIV/AIDS / HIV Among Youth

HIV Among Youth

A teenage girl and several teen boys sitting in a classroomToday’s youth need age-appropriate HIV prevention education provided by parents, schools, the community, and web-based educational programs. They need to be taught early about HIV prevention in a way that they can understand and use. This includes education about risks and skills to help delay sex and prevent HIV infection.

You may ask why is this necessary….Here are a few reasons, and they are profound: one in four (12,000 per year, 1,000 a month) new HIV infections in the United States is among young people between the ages of 13 and 24. More than half of new infections among youth occur in African Americans, that is more new infections than among any other group by race/ethnicity and gender.

Parents, teachers, mentors and community leaders need to have this information to move us to act, to make a concerted effort to provide our nation’s youth with the tools and resources they need to assess their own personal risk, to decrease risky behaviors, to get tested, and protect themselves from HIV infection.

This is one step to help reduce the number of youth who every year are diagnosed with HIV. In a 2012 Vital Signs report behaviors among youth that may put them at risk were reviewed. Factors such as stigma, homophobia, discrimination, less condom use, more alcohol and drug use, and having sex with older partners (who may be more likely to be infected) put young gay and bisexual males at greater risk for HIV infection.

You May Also Like
15 Natural Remedies for Aches and Pains

In some communities, including some African-American communities, there are more people living with HIV, which increases the likelihood that someone will be exposed to infection with each sexual encounter. Limited access to sexual health services, lack of HIV awareness, social/economic factors (including poverty), stigma/discrimination, and higher rates of incarceration also are associated with increased HIV risk for African-American communities.

There is so much we can do. Youth need to know they have someone to talk to him or her about sexual health, about disease prevention, and, if needed, where to get an HIV test. Education is the first step to keeping our youth healthy and HIV free. Testing is the first step to getting those with HIV the medical care and treatment they need to improve their health, extend their life, and prevent the spread of HIV to others.

To learn more about HIV, go to www.cdc.gov/actagainstaids.  To find a HIV testing resources near you, go to http://hivtest.cdc.gov.

September 17, 2013 by ionehdean

Read Next Article

The Latest In HIV/AIDS

HIV

Day 1: Just Diagnosed with HIV

Being diagnosed with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) can be devastating. Fortunately, doctors have good news for the thousands of African Americans who get this diagnosis every year. While it’s true that HIV weakens the immune system and can develop into read more about Day 1: Just Diagnosed with HIV

Top 15 Cities With the Most STDs (2022)

It seems like for the past two years, the only disease that has dominated the news and the one we talk about the most has been COVID. But after a long, Covid-related delay, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention read more about Top 15 Cities With the Most STDs (2022)
arthur ashe

Black History of Health: Arthur Ashe

Arthur Ashe accomplished many firsts in his lifetime.  In 1963, the gifted tennis player made history as the first Black player to compete for the U.S. Davis Cup team. A few years later, Arthur became the first Black male to read more about Black History of Health: Arthur Ashe
human immunodeficiency virus

Can You Keep HIV Under Control Without Treatment?

HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is a virus that attacks cells that help the body fight infection, making a person more vulnerable to other infections and diseases. If not treated, HIV can lead to AIDS. In 2019, Blacks were found to read more about Can You Keep HIV Under Control Without Treatment?
What is the Daniel Fast

Nutrition Tips For Persons Living With HIV

For persons who are living with HIV, maintaining good health is paramount. Apart from sticking to their prescribed medical regimen, eating well is another essential pillar for total wellness. Choosing the right diet can also help you to deal with read more about Nutrition Tips For Persons Living With HIV

Will Black people ever move past HIV/AIDS stigma?

Johneri’O Scott was 24-years-old when he found out he was HIV positive. He thought it was a death sentence.  “I knew nothing about it before I was diagnosed,” he said. “I thought my life was over before it really even read more about Will Black people ever move past HIV/AIDS stigma?

Primary Sidebar

Subscribe to our newsletter

Poll

Popular Posts

  • The McGhee Sextuplets: A Family Built On LoveThe McGhee Sextuplets: A Family Built On Love
  • Reality Star Hospitalized After Major Car Accident: “Unresponsive, But Stable”Reality Star Hospitalized After Major Car Accident: "Unresponsive, But Stable"
  • Top 3 Mistakes Cooking Salmon (You Should Never Make Again)Top 3 Mistakes Cooking Salmon (You Should Never Make Again)
  • Aleisha Allen: From Actress to Speech PathologistAleisha Allen: From Actress to Speech Pathologist
  • Black Don’t Crack: Mother Of 3 Photo Goes ViralBlack Don't Crack: Mother Of 3 Photo Goes Viral

Podcast

Footer

Where Wellness & Culture Connect

BDO is the world’s largest and most comprehensive online health resource specifically targeted to African Americans. BDO understands that the uniqueness of Black culture - our heritage and our traditions - plays a role in our health. BDO gives you access to innovative new approaches to the health information you need in everyday language so you can break through the disparities, gain control and live your life to its fullest.

Connect With Us

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Learn More About

  • Hepatitis C
  • Diabetes
  • Sickle Cell
  • Mental Health
  • About Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Advertise With Us
  • BlackDoctor.org Advertising and Sponsorship Policy
  • Daily Vitamina
  • TBH

Copyright © 2022, BlackDoctor, Inc. All rights reserved.