While National Youth HIV/AIDS Awareness Day may have been earlier this month, the work to empower young people to fight continues, especially those in our communities. We spoke with Bithiah Lafontant, Director of Corporate Communications at ViiV Healthcare, about the changing statistics, the resources needed to create an HIV-free generation, and more.
BHM: How are the statistics of HIV among young people in underserved communities changing?
Despite the significant strides we’ve made in HIV awareness, prevention, and treatment, the HIV epidemic persists, especially for our youth. Young people account for more than 20% of all new HIV diagnoses in the U.S., with a disproportionate impact on Black and Latinx queer youth who are experiencing the greatest number of new diagnoses.
To turn the tide, it is crucial that we focus on combating HIV stigma, promoting open and honest conversations, and, most importantly, increasing awareness and action around the options that are available for HIV prevention.
BHM: We have the tools and resources needed for an HIV-free generation, but do we have the collective will?
We believe that every young person deserves access to resources, support, and the care they need to thrive. We understand that empowering youth needs to be at the center of the HIV response, as they are the next generation of leaders in the HIV community. Through our Positive Action for Youth program, which invested more than $5.8 million in youth-focused organizations this year alone, and our Annual Youth Summit, we are informing and empowering young leaders and their community allies to close gaps in HIV prevention, care, and supportive services.
The tools and resources exist to achieve an HIV-free generation, but we need more than just tools.
It’s critical that everyone involved in the fight against HIV continues to prioritize our youth and grow awareness of the resources and services available to improve this generation’s response to HIV.
We know we can’t end HIV alone, but together, we can turn the vision of an HIV-free generation into a reality.
BHM: Are they taking advantage of access to PrEP, or is that something that needs to be more widely known as an option that is available to them?
We know that pre-exposure prophylaxis, PrEP, is underutilized. The CDC estimates that roughly 1.2 million people in the U.S. could benefit from PrEP, but only about 30% of those individuals have received a prescription for PrEP.
The CDC also recommends that all sexually active young adults and adolescents be informed about PrEP as an effective option for HIV prevention.
PrEP should be prescribed to anyone who asks for it, regardless of their sexual identity or gender, how many partners they have, or whether or not they report specific reasons for HIV prevention.
Young people should feel empowered to have open and honest discussions with their doctor about HIV prevention and PrEP as a part of sexual health and wellness. It’s the first step to finding an option that meets individual needs and can ultimately help to improve overall health outcomes.
BHM: What do you think is holding them back if they aren’t taking it?
There are many reasons why young people aren’t taking PrEP. For some, it’s a lack of awareness about PrEP, or they may not see themselves as being someone who has reasons for HIV prevention. For others, they may be aware of PrEP and want to consider taking it, but don’t know where to start.
Young people can be hesitant or nervous to start conversations surrounding sexual health and wellness with their doctor or care team.
There can also be anxieties about their friends or family finding their PrEP medication or challenges in adhering to a PrEP regimen.
That’s why addressing these barriers through increased awareness, stigma reduction, and improved health care access is crucial to enhancing PrEP uptake among youth and a core focus of ViiV Healthcare’s work.
BHM: What should we know about PrEP?
PrEP is highly effective at preventing HIV acquired from sex when taken as prescribed, but it also isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach.
There are multiple PrEP options available, including long-acting injectable PrEP and daily oral pills, that can give people the flexibility to choose the approach that works best for them!
Having an open and honest discussion with a doctor about HIV prevention as a part of sexual health and wellness can be a great first step to finding an option that meets an iindividual’sneeds.
Young people who want to learn more about PrEP can check out ViiV’s conversation guide to help start a conversation with their doctor today.
The post Empowering Young People in the Fight Against HIV appeared first on Black Health Matters.
