U.S. AIDS Prevention Policy for Adolescents

Fifty percent of all new HIV infections in the United States occur in people under age 25; twenty-five percent in people under age 21 (Deas, 2003, p. 1). Today, HIV infection is the seventh leading cause of death for those ages 13 through 24. Through December 2002, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported 41,287 cumulative cases of AIDS among people ages 13 through 24, and health experts estimate the number living with HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) infection to be much higher (NIAID, 2004, p. 1). Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is unquestionably, therefore, a significant public health issue.

This paper examines the state of the literature on U.S. policy toward AIDS prevention programs and methods for adolescents. It begins with a brief review of approaches to U.S. AIDS policy since researchers first identified and documented the disease in 1981. It then moves to a more in-depth review of the literature discussing the approach to adolescent AIDS prevention taken by the current administration of President George Bush.

Brief History of Presidential Approaches to AIDS Policy

The literature reveals that, in 1981, the CDC, through close relationships with local public health authorities, identified the first signs of the AIDS epidemic and moved relatively quickly to perform appropriate investigatory and educational activities (Bayer, 1995, p. 457). These activities occurred shortly after

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s & Kates, 2004, p. 37). Agencies involved in US prevention activities include the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Indian Health Service, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, HRSA, and the Departments of Defense, Veterans Affairs, and Justice (Summers & Kates, 2004, p. 37). Most HIV/AIDS prevention funding is provided through the CDC. From 1995 to 2004, CDC's funding for HIV prevention increased by 34 percent, from $590 million to $788 million (Summers & Kates, 2004, p. 37). Despite its growth, CDC's HIV/AIDS prevention budget represents a decreasing share of overall HIV/AIDS prevention funding, declining from 92 percent in 1995 to 84 percent in 2004. Relative to the overall CDC budget, funding for HIV/AIDS prevention has grown at a slower pace. Specifically, while CDC's funding has increased 120 percent from $2.1 billion to $4.6 billion from 1995 to 2004, its HIV/AIDS prevention funding has increased by only 34 percent, from $590 million to $788 million. In addition, HIV/AIDS prevention now represents a decreased share of CDC's overall budget, declining from 28 in 1995 to 17 percent in 2004 (Summers & Kates, 2004, p. 37). The Bush Administration and Adolescent AIDS Prevention In November
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Approximate Word count = 2442
Approximate Pages = 10 (250 words per page)

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