This piece & numerous others have listed the 13 - 24 age demographic as the group with the highest HIV transmission rate for years. It's no surprise. What prevention/education has been taking place in public schools over the last decade? In most cases, virtually none.
Why is it spreading so fast in tweens to college kids?
- Little to no sex ed
- It's the age of experimentation with sex, drugs & everything
- Assumed invulnerablity
- Little prevention tactics or testing happening
- This age group is historically high for STI transmission
- HIV stigma
What can be done about this?
- Realistic health & sex ed courses in schools
- Push HIV testing as routine care
- Talk Talk Talk
- Make safer sex habits possible
- Accept kids are going to have sex
- Accept kids don't have all the tools to make good choices
- Accept experimentation is part of growing up
- Stop shaming, screaming, punishing, humiliating ...
- Be approachable
Until, we make it a priority to prevent HIV in this age group regardless of people's repressive agendas then this won't change.
Cya...
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