Senator Blumenthal, Congresswoman Lee Recognize 3rd Annual National Youth HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
(Washington, DC) – Today, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and U.S. Representative Barbara Lee (D-Calif.) recognized the 3rd annual National Youth HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. Understanding the need for increased action and awareness to combat the HIV & AIDS epidemic among young people, Senator Blumenthal and Congresswoman Lee are lead sponsors of congressional resolutions that recognize April 10th as National Youth HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NYHAAD) each year to increase public education about the impact of HIV/AIDS on young people and highlight the work being done to strengthen the fight against the epidemic.
"National Youth HIV/AIDS Awareness Day is a critical step to help battle the HIV/AIDS epidemic that continues to affect all generations," said Senator Blumenthal. "Young people’s health and education is crucial to stopping the spread of this horrific and prevalent disease. Nearly 60% of HIV positive youth do not know they carry HIV and we need to ensure that young people get tested and know that the support and resources are available to them if they need."
"National Youth HIV/AIDS Awareness Day is an important way to increase awareness about HIV and its impact on young people in this country," said Congresswoman Lee. "As we mark National Youth HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, I have one message for our young people: Take your health in your hands. Get tested, know your status and get treatment if necessary."
In addition to recognizing this day, the resolutions also call for prioritizing youth leadership and development, increasing HIV/AIDS comprehensive and effective prevention education, youth-friendly and accessible health care services, and urging State and local governments to recognize and support this day.
In the United States, young people ages 13 to 20 account for almost 40 percent of new HIV infections. 1,000 young people ages 13 to 24 acquire HIV every month and nearly 60% of these new infections in youth occur in African Americans, about 20% in Hispanics/Latinos, and about 20% in whites.