HIV infection rates up among teens

(NEWSCHANNEL 3) – Tuesday is World AIDS Day, and decades after the virus surfaced, it's clear that HIV and AIDS are still a problem, especially for young people.

It's a growing issue that local health officials are trying to grapple with.

On Tuesday Newschannel 3 looked into an alarming statistic. According to the Michigan Department of Community Health, the rate of HIV infection among teens aged 13 to 19 more than doubled from 2003 to 2007, and it doesn't look like that rate is going to slow down.

"It's a very sad statistic, especially in the State of Michigan, because there are so many innovative programs here in Michigan as far as HIV prevention is concerned," said Jan Delatorre, CARES HIV/AIDS prevention specialist.

For Delatorre, the issue of AIDS and HIV spreading among teens is perhaps the largest worry in the decades spent trying to combat the disease.

State officials say that Michigan's rates line up with national trends showing an increase in infections among teens. Some say part of the problem is a lack of education; in Michigan, some schools will teach some things, and some won't, making for an inconsistent message, and a lack of realistic education over what to do beyond saying no to sex.

“You should educate on condom use, or reducing your partners, ways to not necessarily eliminate the risk of HIV but reducing the risk of HIV,” said Delatorre.

The state is also focusing efforts on young people, over a quarter of all education and risk reduction services went to people under 25, an effort Delatorre says is needed.

“You start young, you start at a very young age to talk about realistic sexuality education, as far as I can see it's not really happening,” said Delatorre.

The state also says the vast majority of new cases are in the African-American community.