04/11/2026
National Youth HIV & AIDS Awareness Day is observed every April 10th to urge policymakers and the public to take action on the impact of HIV and AIDS on young people, and to highlight the prevention, treatment, and care work that young people are doing across the country.
Young people between the ages of 13 and 24 accounted for 20% of new HIV diagnoses in 2022. Among all people living with HIV, those aged 13β24 are the least likely of any age group to know their status.
Testing saves lives. Knowing your status saves lives. But you can only act on information you have.
Young people living with HIV are also the least likely of any age group to be retained in care and have a suppressed viral load. That's not a coincidence. It's a direct result of gaps in education, access, and stigma that we as a community have a responsibility to close.
And this year, the stakes around funding are real. The FY 2026 federal budget proposed eliminating the Domestic HIV and AIDS Prevention and Research Program and nearly all HIV prevention funding from the CDC. Congress pushed back and passed a final spending bill that preserved some funding for HIV prevention, care, and research, rejecting nearly $2 billion in proposed cuts. It's not permanent, and it will require continued pressure in the next budget cycle.
If you want to know your status, we have partnered with Equitas Health, and
Dirty South Therapeutics, LLC to offer confidential, FREE HIV & Syphilis Testing on the first Monday of each month. The next testing session is May 4th from 9am to 3pm at Dirty South, 67 E Water St, Chillicothe. No appointment necessary.