It’s that time of year when millions of Americans start looking back at the past, and more importantly, forward to the coming year. This is especially important for youth and young adults. In 2009, young people (those aged 13-29) accounted for 29% of all new HIV infections.
Many Americans do not realize that HIV is still a major epidemic in our country.
More than a million people are living with HIV in the United States, and almost 1 in 6 are unaware of their infection and at risk of passing the virus on to others without knowing it. The only way to know if a person has HIV is to get an HIV test, and it’s easy, free, fast, and confidential!
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone between the ages of 13 and 64 be tested for HIV at least once as part of routine health care. Testing once a year (or more) is recommended for people at higher risk of HIV infection, such as those who are gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM), injection drug users, or people with multiple sex partners.
Here are three good reasons to get an HIV test and tools you can use to find an HIV test site near your area:
- Finding out early can help you live a longer, healthier life.
- If you know, you can look out for yourself – and the people you love.
- It’s easy. It’s free, fast, and confidential.
In addition to getting tested for HIV, we’d love to connect with you to discuss some additional ways that we can work together to stop the spread of HIV and spread the word about Let’s Stop HIV Together, a national communication campaign designed to raise awareness and fight stigma about HIV and its impact on the lives of all Americans. We must re-double our efforts to assure that all people know about HIV, how to prevent transmission, their HIV status, and that people with HIV are linked to care, treatment, and prevention services. We can stop HIV Together—by getting the facts, getting tested, and getting involved.
In the meantime, you can find more info below.
Let’s Stop HIV Together Web and Social Properties:
- Let’s Stop HIV Together on the Web
- Act Against AIDS Facebook page
- Let’s Stop HIV Together participant video stories
- “Get Tested” Web page
Sample Let’s Stop HIV Together stories:
- Greg Louganis, Olympic Diver (and four-time gold medalist), was diagnosed with HIV in 1988. Greg is often remembered for the shocking moment in 1988 (just after his HIV diagnosis) when he struck his head on the springboard.
- Kelly, a young heterosexual woman, was in what she thought was a committed relationship at the time of her HIV diagnosis in 2010, and found out several months after they both tested positive for HIV that her boyfriend had been sexually active with men during their relationship.
- Theresa, a mother and grandmother was getting back into the dating scene after getting divorced when she was diagnosed with HIV. At her age, she thought HIV was something that she didn’t need to worry about.
- Masonia, a young single mother, found out she was pregnant and tested positive for HIV in the same day.
Justin’s Story
Our staff at College Cures had the opportunity to hear Justin’s story. Justin, a 27 year old Latino, has been aware of his HIV positive status for 7 years. Below, he takes the time to discuss some of the stigmas associated with HIV and how you can help prevent the spread of HIV through education and awareness.
Campaign Website | Justin’s Digital Story | Justin’s Ad | General PSA | HIV and Youth Fact Sheet
photo credit: jonrawlinson via photopin cc
photo credit: The Factionist – ethical apparel via photopin cc
