The numbers are clear—young people are at risk for HIV infection. Every young adult, parent and educator needs to learn the facts about HIV/AIDS. If you don’t think HIV/AIDS can affect anyone you know, check out the statistics below.
- It is estimated that Americans between the ages of 13 and 24 are contracting HIV at a rate of two per hour. This translates into an estimated 20,000 new infections each year.
- In fact, while they make up only 16% of the population, people under the age of 25 represent an estimated one-half of all new HIV infections. The majority of these cases are contracted sexually.
- By the time they reach 12th grade, 65% of American youth are sexually active, with one in five reporting four or more sexual partners.
- Three million adolescents—roughly one in four sexually experienced teens—contract sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) annually. Two-thirds of the 12 million Americans with STDs are under the age of 25. These statistics are a clear indication that young people are engaging in unprotected sex.
- Rates of HIV infection among African-American and Latino youth are disproportionate. While each group makes up only about 15% of U.S. teenagers, African-Americans account for 67% of reported HIV infections and Latinos account for an additional 20%.
- Young women between the ages of 13 and 19 seem to be at higher risk, comprising 63% of reported HIV cases within their age group.
- While the CDC estimates that men who have sex with men account for just 4% of the U.S. male population aged 13 and older, their rate of new HIV diagnoses is more than 44 times that of other men.
- Nearly 90% of young Americans surveyed reported that they do not believe that they are at risk for HIV infection.
- In 1991, 54% of high school students reported having engaged in sexual intercourse. By 1999, this figure had dropped to 50%, and by 2007, it had dropped to 48%.
- Between 1991 and 1999, the percentage of sexually active high school students who reported using a condom the last time they had sex increased from 46% to 58%. By 2007, this number reached 62%.
Learn More:
The Difference Between HIV and AIDS
Transmission and Prevention of HIV
HIV Testing
