New Survey of Young Adults Uncovers Low Levels of Accurate Knowledge About HIV Transmission Coupled with High-Risk Sexual Behaviors
KENILWORTH, N.J., NEW YORK, N.Y., November 25, 2019 – Merck (NYSE: MRK) known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, in partnership with Prevention Access Campaign today launched Owning HIV: Young Adults and the Fight Ahead, a new campaign featuring results from a first-of-its-kind survey to better understand beliefs and perceptions about HIV among young adults in the U.S. Survey findings show a jarring trend of general confusion and insufficient knowledge of HIV and its transmission, along with the existence of high-risk sexual practices, poor disease management, and stigmatizing behaviors among young adults. While new HIV diagnoses in the U.S. remained stable between 2012 and 2016, they increased for people aged 25 to 29 during that same time period. Young people now account for a majority of new diagnoses.
