UN: 2500 young people newly infected with HIV every day

[News_Editor]

UN: 2500 young people newly infected with HIV every day

2011-06-02 04:43:18 GMT+7 (ICT)

UNITED NATIONS (BNO NEWS) -- An estimated 2,500 youth are newly infected with HIV every day, a new joint report by the United Nations and the World Bank said on Wednesday.

According to the report, people between the ages of 15 and 24 accounted for 41 per cent of new infections among adults in 2009. Worldwide, an estimated 5 million (4.3 million to 5.9 million) young people in that age group were living with HIV in 2009.

"For many young people HIV infection is the result of neglect, exclusion, and violations that occur with the knowledge of families, communities, social and political leaders. This report urges leaders at all levels to build a chain of prevention to keep adolescents and young people informed, protected and healthy," said Anthony Lake, the Executive Director of the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF).

"We must protect the second decade of life, so that the journey from childhood to adulthood is not derailed by HIV – a journey that is especially fraught for girls and young women," he added.

The report "Opportunity in Crisis: Preventing HIV from early adolescence to young adulthood" presents, for the first time, data on HIV infections among young people. It stresses that young women and adolescent girls face a disproportionately high risk of infection due to biological vulnerability, social inequality and exclusion. Globally young women make up more than 60 per cent of all young people living with HIV, while in sub-Saharan Africa that rate jumps to 72 per cent.

The report also indicates that family members, teachers, and community leaders have a role to play in setting norms for responsible behaviour, and in advocating for the full range of services needed for young people to stay healthy as they transition to adulthood.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2011-06-02

[maidu]

I realize physically branding (or forcibly tattooing) people is not approved of anywhere in the world - yet it's almost needed with this type of problem. Surely, most, if not nearly all the people infecting others - know they're infected and know they're endangering others. Quite likely, it's mostly boys/men who are forcing themselves on younger women/girls, whether by date rape or whatever. Since forehead branding of infected people is not going to happen, there should be strict policing of these infections. Anyone under 21 who knowingly infects someone else should be harshly disciplined for five years - regardless of whether it's their girlfriend/boyfriend. Anyone over 20 should be jailed for 1 year first offense, and 5 years 2nd offense, 20 years 3rd offense. Finding and prosecuting offenders should not be difficult in most cases, as long as the newly infected person cooperates.

[flying]

Surely, most, if not nearly all the people infecting others - know they're infected

I highly doubt that folks in the age range mentioned even are aware that they carry the virus.

It takes many years for folks to develop symptoms & kids in that age range have no desire/reason to be regularly tested.

neither did my age group regularly test for STD's back when they were young.

[bonobo]

I watched a TV show on dating in Africa, and when the camera crew went into a bush disco, several of the people there admitted that they knew they were HIV-positive, but they frankly didn't care as they should still be able to enjoy themselves sexually. One young man boasted that he had two or three new partners every week, and he never practiced safe sex.