HIV Infection Among Street Youth

PURPOSE

The purpose of this inspection is to determine the scope and nature of the problem of HIV infection among street youth and of the services that address the problem.

BACKGROUND

AIDS is a major threat to adolescents. Although very few cases of AIDS have been reported among teenagers, the number of reported cases among 20- to 29-year-olds with AIDS suggests a high level of HIV infection (which causes AIDS) among teenagers. Some adolescents seem to be in more danger than others. They are "street youth," who have diverged from society's mainstream and have fallen through the safety net. Understanding the impact and future threat of HIV among street youth is critical for two reasons. First, existing public health strategies for preventing and treating HIV infection were initially developed for adult gay men and may have limited utility for this population of young people whose lifestyles suggest more specialized approaches. Second, recent medical developments indicate that the use of AIDS therapies can delay the onset of symptoms among people infected with the virus. This makes early identification of infected street youth crucial for improving their chances of longer-term survival.