At a glance
- In the United States, 19% of new HIV diagnoses in 2021 were among young people aged 13–24.
- Youth need to know their HIV status to stay healthy.
- Getting more youth tested for HIV is important for prevention, since only 6% of high school students have ever been tested.
Overview
Almost half of young people (aged 13–24) with human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV, do not know they have it.
For youth who test negative, testing services can connect them to HIV prevention resources. Youth who test positive can be connected to health services and take medicine to treat HIV.
Treating HIV means taking medicine to lower the amount of virus in the blood—so low that a test can't measure it. This is the best thing to do to stay healthy.
What the data show
Sexual risk behaviors can lead to HIV, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and pregnancy.
CDC Data
However, many youth engage in health risk behaviors and experiences that can result in unintended outcomes. According to CDC data:
- Condom use is down. Condom use among sexually active students decreased from 60% in 2011 to 52% in 2021. This decrease represents an increased health risk for HIV and STIs.
- Substance use can lead to high-risk behaviors. When youth are under the influence of drugs or alcohol, they may engage in high-risk behaviors. Students may have sex without a condom or not take medicine to prevent or treat HIV.
- Some youth are at higher risk. Some youth—including lesbian, gay, bisexual, and questioning (LGBQ+) youth—are at greater risk for negative health outcomes. About 1 in 5 LGBQ+ students experienced sexual violence in the past year, compared to 1 in 10 among heterosexual peers. LGBQ+ students (21%) were also more likely to have ever used illegal drugs than heterosexual students (11%).
Keep in mind
What schools can do
Schools can help prevent HIV. The nation’s schools reach millions of students every day.
In schools, students can learn about the dangers of unhealthy behaviors, and can practice skills that promote a healthy lifestyle. Schools are in a unique position to help youth adopt behaviors that reduce their HIV risk.
Encourage youth to stay healthy
- Teach students the basics about HIV and other STIs.
- Promote communication between youth and their parents or families.
- Support student access to confidential HIV counseling and testing services.
Encourage students to get tested for HIV
- Use health risk behavior data to prioritize needs for health education or services.
- Connect students to health services that include confidential HIV testing and counseling.
- Encourage students and their parents or families to talk about HIV.
What youth can do
Get educated
Learn the basic facts about HIV transmission, testing, and prevention.
Get talking
Talk with parents, families, teachers, doctors, and other trusted adults about HIV and sexual health.
Get tested
CDC recommends that everyone aged 13 to 64 get tested for HIV at least once as part of routine health care. Contact a health care provider about testing.
Get medicine
If you test positive for HIV, get support and seek treatment. Stay in care to remain healthy and prevent passing the virus to others.
What CDC is doing
CDC's adolescent and school health program, What Works in Schools, implements activities focused on primary prevention in U.S. schools.
CDC reaches about 2 million students by funding education agencies and leaders in school-based HIV, STI, and pregnancy prevention. These funded partners:
- Deliver HIV, STI, and pregnancy prevention programs grounded in the latest research.
- Select and implement effective health education curricula.
- Build local capacity to connect students to school- and community-based health services.
- Establish safe environments where students feel connected to school and supportive adults.