Thursday, April 10, marks National Youth HIV & AIDS Awareness Day (#NYHAAD) 2025. NYHAAD is a day to educate the public and policymakers about the impact of HIV and AIDS on young people as well as highlight the meaningful work young people are doing to fight the HIV epidemic.

Search #NYHAAD on social media to learn about virtual and in-person events and to find sharable graphics and information about youth-focused HIV advocacy. You’ll find posts like those in this article.

National Youth HIV & AIDS Awareness Day (NYHAAD) educates policymakers and the public on HIV/AIDS impact on youth. It highlights young people’s prevention, treatment, and care efforts in the U.S.#transgender #trans #LGBTQ #LGBTQIA #fauquierpride #warrentonpride #VApride #NYHAAD

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— Warrenton Pride  (@warrentonpride.bsky.social) April 7, 2025 at 2:00 PM

Today, on National Youth HIV & AIDS Awareness Day (#NYHAAD), we amplify the voices of young people in the fight against HIV & AIDS. By raising awareness, breaking down stigma, & honest conversations, we can empower young people to take charge of their health.www.thewellproject.org/hiv-informat...

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— thewellprojecthiv.bsky.social (@thewellprojecthiv.bsky.social) April 10, 2025 at 7:00 AM

NYHAAD is spearheaded by Advocates for Youth, a national nonprofit made up of youth activists working to ensure that young people have the tools to protect themselves against HIV, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unintended pregnancy.

 

 

Raising awareness and getting more youth tested for HIV is vital for prevention. In fact, only 6% of high school students have ever been tested for HIV, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

 

In 2021, HIV diagnoses among young people ages 13 to 24 accounted for 19% of all HIV diagnoses nationwide. What’s more, condom use among sexually active students decreased from 60% in 2011 to 52% in 2021.

 

 

“This National Youth HIV & AIDS Awareness Day, things look pretty different,” NYHAAD coordinators wrote. “But even amid our country’s current crises, we are more committed than ever to celebrating, supporting and advocating alongside young people living with and impacted by HIV. We’re still showing up, and we hope you will too!”

Hey folks. I’ve co-run a virtual film space called BLACK, GAY, stuck at home since 2020. We’re back on 4/11, in partnership with #NYHAAD, screening THE YEAR WE THOUGHT ABOUT LOVE - featuring Q&A with filmmaker and cast members! If you need community, laughs, distractions - RSVP for free: bgsah.com

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— joshua henry jenkins (@joshjenks.bsky.social) April 3, 2025 at 9:52 AM

To promote resources, statistics and social media posts about NYHAAD, Advocates for Youth and its ambassadors created a downloadable tool kit with graphics, templates and more.

 

This year, each Advocates for Youth ambassador is leading an individual campaign aimed at:

 

  • Increasing empathy and reducing stigma about HIV and its impact on young people;
  • Urging local health care professionals to become HIV Prevention Certified Providers;
  • Urging university deans to introduce affirming policies around HIV care, treatment, and prevention;
  • Urging state and local policymakers to introduce resolutions and proclamations uplifting the day.

 

 

In addition to encouraging young people to take preventive action and get tested for HIV, NYHAAD urges health care professionals to learn more about pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and their role in addressing the barriers to care that young people face.

 

“Young people living with HIV are the least likely of any age group to be retained in care and have a suppressed viral load,” NYHAAD coordinators wrote. “Addressing the impact of HIV on young people requires they have access to affirming, culturally competent and medically accurate resources and tools.”

 

 

Across the nation, HIV organizations, advocates, service providers and allied businesses, such as pharmaceutical companies, promote NYHAAD.

 

“National Youth HIV/AIDS Awareness Day is a critical reminder that our youth face significant barriers when it comes to HIV prevention and care,” said Bithiah Lafontant, director of corporate communications at ViiV Healthcare, which specializes in HIV medications, told POZ. “Young people account for more than 20% of all new HIV diagnoses in the U.S. This must change. We have the tools and resources needed for an HIV-free generation, but do we have the collective will? At ViiV Healthcare, we won’t stop until we end the HIV epidemic for all–especially our youth. We are committed to providing resources for HIV prevention, care, and supportive services for the youth in our country, including those in underserved communities who are most impacted by HIV.”  

 

April 10th is National Youth HIV & AIDS Awareness Day! #NYHAADLooking for #PrEP, HIV testing, or services in #RhodeIsland? Visit righttoknowapp.com to find youth-friendly sexual health resources near you including free or low-cost PrEP services with RI’s PrEP Champions!#RIghttoKnow #RTK

For more POZ articles about young people and HIV, click #Youth. You’ll find a collection of articles including “Safer Advocacy,” which profiles a University of Oregon premed student who is raising sexual health awareness on his college campus and beyond.

Click here to learn more about 2025 HIV and AIDS awareness days, and click here for a printable poster.

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