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Recognizing April 10, 2025 as National Youth HIV and AIDS Awareness Day in the City of Philadelphia.
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WHEREAS, National Youth HIV and AIDS Awareness Day (NYHAAD) is observed annually on April 10 to educate the public about the effect of HIV on young people and urge the public and policymakers to take action regarding the impact of HIV and AIDS on young people; and
WHEREAS, Advocates for Youth, an international advocacy organization that works alongside thousands of young people to fight for sexual health, rights, and justice, spearheaded the campaign for the first National Youth HIV and AIDS Awareness Day in 2013. Advocates for Youth works with communities to ensure that young people have the tools to prevent HIV and other sexually transmitted infections, educates the public about the impact of HIV on young people and highlighting HIV prevention, care campaigns, and treatment; and
WHEREAS, Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a chronic virus that attacks the cells that help the body fight infection, which ultimately makes an individual more vulnerable to other diseases and infections. HIV can be effectively managed with antiretroviral therapy which helps to improve immune function, reduces HIV viral load in the blood, reduces the risk of transmitting HIV to others, and prevents the development of AIDS and related complications. Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is the most advanced and last stage of the HIV infection which often occurs when the body's immune system is damaged beyond repair due to the toll that the virus has had on the body; and
WHEREAS, The current cultural paradigm in which we live in often stigmatizes youth and youth sexual development instead of recognizing sexuality as healthy and normal and embracing the youth. Disparities in sexual health and wellbeing are fueled by poverty, ageism, racism, homophobia, transphobia, and sexism; and
WHEREAS, LGBTQ+, Black, and Brown young adults in Philadelphia, particularly bisexual ...
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