Prevention and Treatment of HIV in Adolescents and Youth

Approximately one-fifth of new infections in the US occur among adolescents and young people with HIV. Compared to adults with HIV, this population has lower rates of testing, diagnosis, treatment participation, and viral suppression. Significantly, this vulnerable group is impacted by certain developmental, psychological, behavioral, and infrastructure issues. Adolescents and Youth with HIV continue to be at risk for poorer HIV-related outcomes if their unique needs and challenges are not met. This interactive program will review the current epidemiology, prevention and treatment challenges, and barriers to achieving and sustaining viral load suppression.

Objectives:

• State current epidemiology on HIV infection among adolescents and youth in the US.
• Identify unique challenges in the prevention and diagnosis of HIV infection for adolescents and youth.
• Explain the key steps in the initiation of treatment and management of HIV infection with focus on youth.
• Describe barriers and facilitators to achieving and sustaining virologic suppression and improving health outcomes among youth with HIV.