According to the Washington State Department of Health, in Seattle, one in eight new HIV diagnoses occurs among youth ages 13-24. In 2014 Mayor Ed Murray declared the entire month of April as National Youth HIV/AIDS Awareness Month in response to this alarming health issue impacting youth and young adults in Seattle and across the country. Nationally, April 10 is commemorated as National HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NYHAAD).

“This may be just one day, but for those of us who are living with HIV, taking our antiretrovirals each day is a constant reminder that the crisis is not over,” says Manuel Vengas, the Seattle NYHAAD Youth Ambassador from Advocates for Youth, a national non-profit that helps young people make informed and responsible decisions about their reproductive and sexual health.

On April 18, Seattle area youth HIV activists will host a free educational community forum in recognition of NYHAAD from 1-3 p.m. at the Central Library Downtown. The event is open to the public.

“It’s a new era of HIV care and prevention,” states Michael Barnes, Program Coordinator for Lifelong’s youth program. “Health care reform has improved access to care. Science and medicine have created new prevention and treatment options. Let’s work together with young people to harness their energy and passion to end this disease once and for all.”