Youth & HIV
The HIVMA website includes links providing direct access to other websites. Links are provided for the convenience of our website visitors. HIVMA has not participated in the development of these other sites and does not exert any editorial or other control over them; therefore, HIVMA takes no responsibility for the content or information contained on those sites.
Statistics
More than half of those newly infected with HIV worldwide are between the ages of 15 and 24, and an estimated 11.8 million people in this age group are living with the disease. It is also estimated that each day nearly 6,000 more become infected, and only a fraction of them are aware of their serostatus. Research also shows that most young people in the world do not know how to protect themselves from HIV, nor do they know how it is transmitted.
Today, 42 million people are estimated to be living with HIV/AIDS worldwide. Of these, 38.6 million are adults. 19.2 million are women, and 3.2 million are children under 15.
An estimated 5 million people acquired HIV in 2002, including 2 million women and 800,000 children under 15.
During 2002, AIDS caused the deaths of an estimated 3.1 million people, including 1.2 million women and 610,000 children under 15.
These statistics were taken from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website, Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention.
Resources for Youth
Adolescent AIDS Program (AAP): The Adolescent AIDS Program at the Children's Hospital at Montefiore Medical Center serves as a local and national resource for those living with HIV/AIDS; adolescents who are at-risk for HIV infection; healthcare providers who treat adolescents living with or at-risk for HIV infection; and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or questioning adolescents, their families and caregivers.
Ask the Experts: A forum for teens to ask questions about infections and diseases, including HIV/AIDS, from www.teenwire.com.
Girls Incorporated: A national research, education, and direct advocacy organization that inspires girls to be strong, smart, and bold.
The Hetrick Martin Institute: A not-for-profit, multi-service, education and advocacy organization dedicated to providing services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning youth, and all youth who are coming to terms with issues of sexuality. HMI also provides intensive training and technical assistance on a wide range of topics, including human sexuality, adolescent development, HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted infection risk reduction, youth leadership development, and issues facing lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youth. The Institute's consultation services are provided both nationally and internationally.
Positive.org: Run by the Coalition for Positive Sexuality, this site contains STD information and sex education for young people.
Sex, etc.: A website for teens, by teens, started by The Network for Family Life Education at Rutgers University. The site features stories, questions, and information on sex, STDs including HIV/AIDS, and pregnancy.
Teen AIDS PeerCorps: An international prevention program, PeerCorps enlists the help of teens to come into the classroom and the streets to educate other teens about the "reality" of HIV/AIDS. Information about their programs for teens and curriculum are available online.
The Body: An AIDS and HIV information resource, this site features A Note to Teens Who Have Just Learned They Are HIV-Positive.
Whatudo.org:HIV Insite's new companion site for young people, featuring youth-focused news reports collected daily and a host of useful information and resources. The goal of the site is to provide straightforward, unbiased, nonjudgmental, accurate, and timely information about HIV/AIDS to young people who are searching for answers on the Web.
YouthHIV.org: A project run by Advocates for Youth, providing education and support for those infected and affected by HIV/AIDS. This site features community support groups, HIV/AIDS frequently asked questions, and opportunities to get involved.
Teen Programs in Your Area
Metro Teens AIDS: Focuses all of its efforts on the special prevention, education, and treatment needs of young people. Provides information on youth and testing centers in the DC area.
Teen Talk Radio: A project serving schools across the New York City area, the program features educational shows on HIV/AIDS, STDs, parenting, violence, abuse, etc. Made by teens for teens. Every Tuesday and Thursday from 4-5 p.m. 91.5 FM, 90.3 FM.
Resources for Healthcare Workers & Advocates
Advocates for Youth (AFY): AFY is dedicated to creating programs and advocating for policies that help young people make informed and responsible decisions about their reproductive and sexual health. AFY provides information training, and strategic assistance to youth-serving organizations, policymakers, youth activists, and the media in the United States and the developing world.
AIDS Alliance for Children, Youth and Families: A national organization focused solely on the needs of children, youth, and families living with, affected by, or at risk for HIV and AIDS. They conduct policy analysis and advocacy, and provide education and training for consumers and providers.
AIDSinfo: An information service by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The site also has antiretroviral treatment guidelines for infants, children, and youth, updated October 2006.
Gay, Lesbian, Straight Education Network: Creating safe schools for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.
Health Initiatives for Youth: A unique partnership of youth and adults working together to increase access to, and the quality of, health care for young people.
HIV Transmission and Prevention in Adolescents: An HIVInsite knowledge-based chapter by Dr. Douglas Kirby published in December, 2002. The chapter discusses prevention programs and education, successes and failures.
National Education Association Health Information Network (NEA): Provides health information to educational employees and the more than thirty million students they serve. Information promoting coordinated school health, effective models of HIV prevention education for the classroom, and accurate information on sexual health issues are distributed nationally through the NEA’s 53 state/territory affiliates as well as 13,500 local education associations.
National Network for Youth (NNY): Dedicated to ensuringthat young people can be safe and lead healthy and productive lives. NNY informs public policy, educates the public and strengthens the field of youth work. NNY and its members promote the positive development of youth through community service, peer education, alcohol and drug-free teen clubs, drama groups, adventure-based programs, and youth involvement in decision-making bodies.
National Pediatric & Family HIV Resource Center: A nonprofit organization that serves professionals who care for children, adolescents and families with HIV infection and AIDS. Founded in 1990, the Center offers education, consultation, technical assistance, and training for health and social service professionals.
National Youth Advocacy Coalition (NYAC): Operates a clearinghouse of information on issues affecting lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youth. It also offers training and technical assistance on HIV/AIDS/STD prevention for community-based organizations working with youth. NYAC's mission is to advocate for and with young people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender in an effort to end discrimination and to ensure their physical and emotional well-being.
Pediatric AIDS Clinical Trials Group (PACTG): This organization is devoted to HIV/AIDS research in pregnant women, infants, children and adolescents. Through the Adolescent Research Initiative, PACTG plans to carry out important new studies on adolescent research priorities. For more information, contact Beth Roy at broy@s-3.com.
Hotlines & Information Lines
Adolescent Network for Today Hotline: (800) 350-6910
(A project of the Latin American Health Institute) Case managers staff the hotline andl provide HIV+ clients with an opportunity to vociferate their feelings about being HIV+, enhance their independence by building confidence and heightening self-esteem and guiding the youth throughout the journey to treatment options. All services are free and confidential. Call M-F, 12:00 pm - 8:00 pm, EST.
American Institute for Teen AIDS Prevention: (817) 237-0230
National Association of State Boards of Education, AIDS project:
(703) 684-4000; fax (703) 836-2313.
National Pediatric HIV Resource Center (NPHRC): (800) 362-0071
National Runaway Switchboard (adolescent crisis line):(800) 621-4000
Nineline Hotline (Answers to tough questions, for kids, 24/7, free and confidential): (800) 999-9999
The Teen AIDS Hotline:(800) 440-TEEN
En Español
Di Que Sí: Con información sobre el sexo, el VIH y el SIDA. Apoya una actitud positiva sobre el sexo. Oprima "contenido" para una lista de recursos. (Just Say Yes - Spanish-language page for teens on sex and AIDS).
Para más recursos en espanol, oprima aquí.