Pride for Youth

HIV/AIDS is a serious problem affecting not only the United States but nearly every country in the world. Since the epidemic was first tracked in the early 1980’s, over half a million people with AIDS have died in the United States. Nearly the same number of people are currently living with AIDS.

Long Island has a disproportionate share of HIV/AIDS cases. About 4,000 Long Islanders with AIDS have died since the early 1980’s and over 7,000 people are living with AIDS. The best estimate is that 15,000 people are carrying the virus on Long Island.

HIV is of particular concern for young men who have sex with men. Adolescents account for over half of new HIV infections. And over half of new cases of AIDS among adolescents are attributed to male-to-male sexual contact.

There is treatment but no cure for HIV/AIDS.

Sources: U.S. Centers for Disease Control and New York State Department of Health.