HIV among young people remains a significant public health concern because the decline in new HIV infections among adolescents and youth has not been rapid enough to effectively control the epidemic.  Globally, young people, 15-24 years, account for 28 per cent of new HIV infections in 2023 while in the Caribbean, they accounted for 27% of the 15,000 new infections, up from 15% in 2020.  This rising proportion of total HIV incidence among young people which ranges from 14% in Suriname and Guyana to 37% in Barbados, is concerning and warrants further investigation and serious attention, if we are to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030. The situation faced by children and adolescents is equally concerning.  At the end of 2023, 2.38 million children and adolescents, aged 0-19 years, were living with HIV globally. Of the 630,000 people who died from AIDS-related illnesses, 90,000 (14%) were children and youth under 20 years. While new HIV infections among children aged 0-14 years and adolescents aged 15-19 years declined since 2000, progress has stalled in recent years. With early diagnosis and treatment, early childhood survival rates for children living with HIV have improved, but adolescents, particularly those aged 15-24, are being left behind. Several factors are driving the epidemic among adolescents and youth. HIV prevention and testing among adolescents and young people have been particularly challenging due to factors such as social norms, vulnerability, high-risk sexual behaviours, policy barriers, limited access to healthcare services, and poor care-seeking behaviours. The lack of comprehensive knowledge about HIV transmission, prevention, and treatment increases risky sexual behaviour, fuelled by myths and misconceptions about the virus. Many schools lack comprehensive sexuality education, and there are few youth-friendly facilities within or outside health care settings to engage and educate young people about HIV.  Social stigma surrounding HIV continues to deter young people from seeking testing, counselling, or treatment services. Fear of rejection by peers and family members forces many young people to hide their HIV status, further preventing them from accessing necessary healthcare. (Antiqua Observer)…[+]