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Thirty years after the first diagnoses of what would later be known as AIDS, the face of HIV/AIDS has changed radically. One in three new HIV infections in the United States and half of new infections globally are among young people, and girls are particularly at risk.
According to the Hawaii Department of Health, there were 863 new diagnosed HIV cases in 2009, bringing the total number of people living with HIV/AIDS in Hawaii to 4,015. This data represents just one part of the epidemic. Of these thousands of people, many remain unaware that they carry the virus.
Alarmingly, Honolulu’s Life Foundation reported that in 2010, over a two-month period, seven young people were diagnosed with AIDS while seeking care at local hospitals. None had previously been tested for HIV or were aware of their HIV-positive status.
Too many young people are entering adulthood without the knowledge, power and tools they need to protect themselves from disease. We must and can do better.
Today, on World AIDS Day, we must stand strong with youth around the world and in Hawaii, to demand that they have what they need to protect themselves and their health — starting with quality sex education and access to condoms and birth control. It is our duty to ensure that our young people have honest information about their sexual health and know how to protect it. Parents are the most valuable teachers and their guidance is essential in helping our young people make healthy choices.
While education is crucial, it is only part of the solution. Funding streams for both HIV prevention and for sexual and reproductive health must be improved in the United States and overseas. Currently, HIV funding streams remain needlessly segregated from other reproductive health programs. This can mean a person must go to one clinic for HIV services and another for family planning.
Worse, women seeking obstetric and family planning services may not be offered HIV screening, while those seeking HIV services are not offered contraception. The need to visit multiple clinics for affordable HIV testing and sexual and reproductive health care is burdensome and ultimately results in young people failing to receive the care that they need.
HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment services should be offered in the same settings as family planning and other sexual and reproductive health services. Young people need help to avoid both HIV infection and unintended pregnancy. We need increased funding for sexual and reproductive health programs that cover both family planning and HIV services.
Finally, we must encourage each other to get tested for HIV and to talk about it with our loved ones. At Planned Parenthood of Hawaii we offer rapid HIV testing, counseling, youth friendly services and a full spectrum of sexual and reproductive health care. We also provide referrals to local organizations that can provide free HIV testing and additional resources for individuals living with HIV/AIDS.
Today is Dec. 1, World AIDS Day. Talk to your loved ones about HIV and how it can be prevented. If you think you may be at risk, there is no better time to get yourself tested.
