Opportunity in crisis: Preventing HIV from early adolescence to young adulthood
A UNICEF report, in collaboration with UNAIDS, UNESCO, UNFPA, ILO, WHO and the World Bank
1 JUNE 2011 - This report provides an overview of the State of the epidemic among young people. It includes individual testimonies, the latest statistics and analysis on very young adolescents (10-14), older adolescents (15-19), young adults (20-24) and young people living with HIV. The report outlines opportunities for action to ensure the protection of these young people and to achieve the global targets for an AIDS- free generation.
Globally, 5 million young people aged 15-24 were living with HIV in 2009, a 12 per cent reduction since 2001, when there were 5.7 million young people living with HIV. Globally, young women make up more than 60 per cent of all young people living with HIV; in sub-Saharan Africa their share jumps to 71 per cent.
Some countries have experienced gains in knowledge and positive changes in the sexual behaviour of their young people, and some countries have achieved declines in HIV prevalence and incidence. Many of these achievements can be attributed to the efforts of young people and their schools, families, health workers and communities, as well as to the efforts of some political leaders. But neither the efforts made nor the progress achieved so far have been sufficient.