The HIV epidemic continues to take a devastating toll on young people. Approximately 5 million youth, aged 15-24, are currently living with HIV globally—76% of whom reside in sub-Saharan Africa. In 2009, 41% of new HIV infections in people age 15 and over were among youth and each day of the year almost 2,500 youth were infected with HIV.

In addition to the alarming numbers of new HIV infections among youth, many infants, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, also acquire HIV perinatally (through mother-to-child transmission of HIV [MTCT]). In 2009, an estimated 370,000 children contracted HIV during the perinatal and breastfeeding period and approximately 2.5 million children 0-14 were living with HIV.2 However, improved access to pediatric HIV testing, care, and antiretroviral therapy (ART) over the last decade has made it possible for increasing numbers of children infected with HIV to reach adolescence and for adolescents living with HIV (ALHIV) to reach adulthood.

Whether behaviorally or perinatally infected with HIV, most young people face unique developmental and health-related challenges. As a result, they require innovative and responsive public health strategies that address these unique needs. Adolescents and their caregivers often do not access the health and social services they urgently need due to lack of information, fear of stigma or judgment, and various health systems barriers, including the lack of youth-friendly, accessible HIV services. In addition to clinical care, ALHIV require comprehensive services to support their healthy development, psychosocial wellbeing, retention in care, adherence to treatment, and their emerging sexuality and reproductive health. Therefore, a concerted, multi- faceted effort is required to minimize barriers and challenges and to empower ALHIV to become active partners in their own health and in the larger response to HIV at the clinic, community, national, and global level.