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ANALYSIS: 29% INCREASE IN NEW YOUTH HIV INFECTIONS SINCE 2004
New York City – New HIV infections among New York City teens are at their highest levels since 2001, analysis from Representative Anthony Weiner (D – Brooklyn and Queens), a member of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health, showed today. The new analysis, which reviewed City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOH) data of HIV infections of New Yorkers between the ages of 13 and 19 going back to 2001, found that after years of reducing infections, there was an alarming 29% increase in teen infections from 2004 to 2006.
Weiner, who is calling for a four-step approach to tackle the rise of HIV infections, also cited the disturbing link between methamphetamine use and increased HIV infections among gay men. A 2008 study that found that of HIV positive men-seeking-men, every respondent reported increase in sexual behavior while on meth; while only one person responded to using safe sex practices while on meth.
A closer look at city health data shows a series of alarming findings:
Teens comprise 66% more of the total new HIV infections in 2006 than they did in 2001 – up from 2.7% of the total infections in 2001 to 4.5% in 2006;
Teen infections have increased steadily since 2004 – up over 13% in both 2005 and 2006;
Since 2001, at least 876 NYC teens have become infected with HIV; and
Among gay men between the ages of 20 and 29, the overall number of HIV infections is up 24.5% since 2001, including a 10.5% spike in 2003.
Rep. Weiner said, "HIV isn't going to disappear on its own. We need a smart, aggressive plan to educate our children about these dangers and help them avoid infection in the first place."
Weiner's four-step approach to tackle the rise in new HIV infections includes:
1. Expand Flexibility with Sex Education Funds: Current law requires states to use federal sex education funds for abstinence-only programs. Yet, these limited programs have proven to be so ineffective that 17 states, including New York State, have refused the federal funding all together. Rep. Weiner will amend the Social Security Act to give states more flexibility to spend the $50 million a year allocated for sex education programs.
2. Fully Fund HIV-Prevention Programs: Federal school health programs give grants to localities to implement HIV-prevention education classes. Rep. Weiner will fully fund the Division of Adolescent and School Health, which has been cut by $7.5 million since 2000.
3. Link Prevention and Substance Abuse Programs: Rep. Weiner would authorize the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to run a pilot program that would coordinate prevention and long-term counseling care for substance abusers.
4. Promote Safe Syringe Use: Sharing needles can mean a quick exchange of disease. And yet, federal law bans syringe exchange programs that can help prevent infections from spreading. Rep. Weiner would support Center for Disease Control HIV Prevention Programs on testing to help promote safe syringe use and reduce needle sharing. To read Rep. Weiner's report on this issue, click here.
