Not enough HIV testing for young people

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than one in five diagnoses of HIV were among youth ages 13 to 24 in 2014 and within that group, young men who are racial/ethnic minorities, or who have sex with men (MSM), may be at even greater risk for HIV infection. 

However, a recent study that took place in Baltimore, Maryland has revealed the difficulties for young people to access testing. The study showed that the majority of organizations working with youth do not test for HIV and few can refer youth to places to get tested. Despite the fact that community organizations might be an important and convenient setting for young people to get tested, very few of them provide this kind of service.

The researchers conducted phone surveys with 51 leaders of youth community organizations in areas with a high risk for HIV. The results showed that only 40 % of organizations offered HIV testing.

“Young people need access to HIV testing, treatment, and prevention. Agencies that work with youth should provide those services or work closely with agencies that do offer them,” said Ann Kurth, the dean of the Yale School of Nursing in New Haven, Connecticut.