Washington, DC – The National Minority AIDS Council is pleased to join Advocates for Youth and 10 other founding organizations in marking Wednesday, April 10, 2013 as the inaugural National Youth HIV & AIDS Awareness Day.
In 2009, each month, nearly 700 young people were infected with HIV, while youth ages 13 to 29 accounted for 39% of all new HIV infections in the U.S. Young gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (MSM), especially those of minority ethnic and racial groups, are at an increased risk for HIV infection.
In 2009, young MSM accounted for 27% of new HIV infections in the U.S. and 69% of new HIV infections among persons aged 13–29. Young black MSM saw new HIV infections increase by 48% from 2006 to 2009 and are the single most impacted subgroup in the country.
“Though we have the tools to end the epidemic, we’ll never realize an AIDS-free generation without adequately addressing the impact the virus is having on future generations.” said NMAC’s Director of Legislative and Public Affairs Kali Lindsey.
In July of 2012, 12 founding partners announced the creation of National Youth HIV & AIDS Awareness Day, calling on President Obama, Congress, local governments, community organizations, schools, universities and Americans across the nation to formally recognize this day.
April 10 marks the first annual nationwide observance of the day. NMAC and our 11 founding organizations encourage youth and activists around the country to participate in and plan activities to foster awareness and inspire action to engage young people impacted by HIV and AIDS.
“Young people living with HIV or AIDS face the tremendous challenge of having to manage their virus, all while looking toward bright futures,” said Lindsey. “It should be our goal to provide young people with the comprehensive sex education and resources necessary to prevent new infections and provide care to those who have tested positive.”
To learn more about NYHAAD, click here.
National Youth HIV & AIDS Awareness Day Founding Partners Include: Advocates for Youth; Adolescent AIDS Program at the Children’s Hospital at Montefiore Medical Center; AIDS Alabama; AIDS Alliance for Children, Youth & Families; AIDS TaskForce of Greater Cleveland; AIDS United; Hetrick-Martin Institute; Metro TeenAIDS; National Coalition of STD Directors (NCSD); National Alliance of State and Territorial AIDS Directors (NASTAD); National Black Gay Men’s Advocacy Coalition; National Minority AIDS Council; and Sexuality Information and Information Council of the United States (SIECUS).
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Contact: Kyle Murphy, (202) 483-6622, ex. 3330, kmurphy@nmac.org