April 10 is National Youth HIV & AIDS Awareness Day (NYHAAD), the first national awareness day specifically focusing on the impact of HIV on youth.

HIV is a potential issue for people of any age, but many young people do not see themselves at risk and do not know how to protect themselves from infection. In the United States, an estimated 22% of all new HIV infections diagnosed in 2014 were in young people aged 13-24 years. With expanded HIV prevention outreach and education efforts, a new generation of young people can be prevented from becoming infected. Reducing new infections and addressing the disproportionate rate of HIV among youth are priorities in the National HIV/AIDS Strategy for the United States: Updated to 2020. Prevention, testing, and treatment are three elements that can make a difference.

On this national observance day and every day, CDC invites local health departments and other partners to promote age-appropriate and medically accurate HIV prevention education through parents, youth, and community-based programs to stop the spread of HIV. To get involved with NYHAAD in your community, visit AIDS.gov for ideas, graphics, and other resources to engage youth. Additionally, learn how to work with schools as a critical partner in this effort to prevent and reduce HIV infection.