Updating the Facts On HIV

12/04/14
World AIDS Day was December 1st -- a few days late, but here are the FACTS.

• Thirteen to 24 year olds account for 26% of all new HIV infections in the U.S. in 2010.(1) 
• The most recent stats (from 212) show an INCREASED rate among13-14 and 20-24 year olds, with rates in 15-19 year olds remaining stable.(2)
• Men who have sex with men (MSM) account for 72% of all new HIV infections among youth.(1)
• HIV infections among teens as a result of male/male contact increased 22% from 2008 to 2010.(1)  [Note: The Medical Institute for Sexual Health recommends that even a one-time sexual encounter with a man, whether or not the teen considers himself gay, should still be tested for HIV.]

Among new HIV infections among youth (1)

• Black youth accounted for an estimated 57% 
• Latinos youth accounted for about 20% 
• White youth accounted for about 20% 
• Most female black youth are infected with HIV by heterosexual contact.(3)
• The rate of new infections among young black females is SIX TIMES AS HIGH as that of young Hispanic females, and 20 TIMES that of young white females.(3)

Endnotes:

1. Center for Disease Control and Prevention, “HIV Among Youth” Http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/risk/age/youth/index.html?s_cid=tw_std0141316 Accessed on Nov.11, 2014. Page last updated Oct. 14, 2014
2. Center for Disease Control and Prevention, “HIV Surveillance Report, 2012,” vol.24. http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/library/reports/surveillance/. Published November 2014. Accessed Nov.11, 2014
3. The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation, “Black Americans and HIV/AIDS” April 25, 2014 http://kff.org/hivaids/fact-sheet/black-americans-and-hiv-aids/ Accessed Nov. 2014