The National Youth Advocacy Coalition ( NYAC ) has called for action to stop rising HIV rates. Among the hardest-hit are African-American youth and NYAC wants to call for increased awareness concerning the disproportionate impact the HIV/AIDS pandemic is having on the African-American community.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) , 406,000 people were living with AIDS in the U.S. at the end of 2003. African-American men and women account for 42% of these cases, though African- Americans make up only 13% of the U.S. population. CDC also estimates that one half of all new HIV infections each year are occurring among people under the age of 25. The Black AIDS Institute has reported that African-American youth account for 56% of all new infections among 13-24 year olds.
See www.nyacyouth.org or call ( 202 ) 319-7596 x 18.