More young people affected by AIDS

With improved drugs, proper care and treatment, people with HIV are living longer and stronger lives. Today, Dec. 1, is World AIDS Day, a day to reflect on this disease. Even with encouraging news, a dangerous trend is emerging among young people. We see more Americans between 13 and 24 being affected by this deadly disease.

Most frustrating, AIDS is generally preventable through changes in behavior, safer-sex practices, testing, basic care and other forms of prevention.

Statistically, youth are catching up fast to other high-risk groups. In 2006, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) determined that youth accounted for half of all new infections in the U.S. Worldwide, women account for nearly half of all new HIV infections. Almost two-thirds of those are among young people, with infections among youth rising in almost every region.

In the U.S. alone, more than 1 million Americans have HIV/AIDS. According to the CDC, the U.S. has the highest rate of teenage infection in the developed world. Every hour, two Americans between the ages of 13 and 24 contract HIV. This year alone, the CDC admitted underestimating HIV cases by 40 percent. So, there could be more than 9,000 American teens with HIV who don't even know it. Without treatment or education, these teens will continue to transmit the virus.

Regularly testing pregnant women and at-risk youth for HIV and providing antiretroviral drugs if they are infected reduces the number of children with AIDS. In 1992, 855 children in the U.S. developed AIDS. By 2005, that number declined 93 percent to 57 children.

Preventing HIV is not complicated. Get tested as soon as you're sexually active. Don't use IV drugs or share needles. Abstain or practice safer sex. With preventive care, education and communication, you and your health care provider can fight and manage this disease. For more information, visit worldaidsday.org.

Dr. Sam Ho

United Healthcare