Addressing Disparities in HIV Among Adolescents and Young Adults in the United States

Abstract

Sexual and ethnic minority adolescents and young adults (AYA) continue to carry a disproportionate burden of new HIV diagnoses. To mitigate this burden, targeted interventions are needed. Comprehensive, medically accurate sex education should replace abstinence-only education. Primary care physicians and pediatricians can identify more AYA in need of increased HIV testing by incorporating routine discussions about sex with every patient. To improve medication adherence and retention in care, HIV positive AYA need access to supplemental services. Dedicated HIV prophylaxis services and emergency departments stocked with HIV post-exposure prophylaxis will improve access and prevent HIV seroconversion. More can be done to prevent HIV in vulnerable AYA populations.