Just as popular dancehall artiste Shenseea prepares for the unveiling of her most recent video for the single, ‘Dating SZN’, there is alarming news that HIV infections among young people in the Caribbean are on the rise.
The Multi-Country Director of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), Dr. Richard Amenyah, revealed statistics which highlights that 27% of new cases in 2023 affect those aged 15-24—up from just 15% in 2020. Dr. Amenyah warns that without urgent action and innovative strategies, the region risks falling further behind in the fight against this epidemic, jeopardizing the future of the region’s youth.
Despite global efforts, the decline in new infections among adolescents and youth has not been sufficient to control the epidemic. Dr. Amenyah says young people between the ages of 15 and 24 represented 28 percent of new HIV infections worldwide in 2023. In the Caribbean, this group accounted for 27% of the 15,000 new cases reported, a significant increase from just 15% in 2020. Additionally, 25% of all pregnant women living with HIV globally are between 15 and 24 years old.
“This rising proportion warrants further investigation and serious attention if we are to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030,” said Dr. Amenyah. He explained that in 2023, “71% of new HIV infections among adolescents aged 10-19 years, were among girls.
Issues such as social norms and a lack of comprehensive sexuality education have made HIV prevention challenging. Stigma around HIV further deters young people, “Fear of rejection by peers and family members forces many young people to hide their HIV status,” Dr. Amenyah stated. He also noted that mental health services tailored to the needs of HIV-positive youth are often limited.
BASICS OF HIV PREVENTION :
Protect yourself during sex: To reduce your risk of getting HIV, use condoms correctly every time you have sex.
Protect yourself if you inject drugs: Do not inject drugs. If you do, use only sterile injection equipment and water, and never share your equipment with others.
Protect yourself by taking PrEP: If you do not have HIV but are at risk of getting HIV, talk to your health care provider about pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). PrEP involves taking a specific HIV medicine every day or an injectable HIV medicine every two months to reduce the risk of getting HIV through sex or injection drug use.
Protect others if you have HIV: Take HIV medicine (called antiretroviral therapy or ART) as prescribed by your doctor. ART can reduce the amount of HIV in the blood (called viral load) to the point where a test cannot detect it (called an undetectable viral load). If you have an undetectable viral load, you will not transmit HIV to your partner through sex.
Prevent perinatal transmission: If you have HIV and take HIV medicine as prescribed by your doctor throughout pregnancy and childbirth, the chances of transmitting HIV to your baby are less than 1%. If you have a partner with HIV and are considering getting pregnant, talk to your doctor about PrEP to help protect you and your baby from getting HIV while you try to get pregnant, during pregnancy, or while breastfeeding.
The Caribbean is mourning the loss of one of its greatest sporting icons following the death of Sir Garfield Sobers, the Barbadian cricket legend widely regarded as one of the finest players the game has ever known. He was 89.
Cricket West Indies confirmed Sir Garfield’s passing on Friday. According to reports, he died at his home in Barbados after a period of illness, just days before his 90th birthday.
Born in Bridgetown, Barbados, on July 28, 1936, Sir Garfield became one of the most influential figures in the history of West Indies cricket. His achievements on the field, coupled with the dignity and pride with which he represented the Caribbean, earned him admiration across generations and around the world. He was knighted in 1975 for his services to cricket and was later named a National Hero of Barbados, one of the country’s highest honours.
As news of his passing spread, tributes poured in from across the Caribbean and the wider cricketing community. In a statement, Cricket West Indies said, “A great innings has come to an end. In our hearts, now and forever, Sir Garfield Sobers.”
Fellow Bajan National hero, Rihanna shared her sentiments in a voice message.
Cricket West Indies President Dr. Kishore Shallow also honoured the Barbadian legend, saying, “Sir Garfield Sobers has completed his final innings, but his legacy will forever endure in the hearts of our region, and the story of the cricketing world.”
Sir Garfield’s influence extended far beyond the cricket field. Throughout his life, he became a symbol of Caribbean excellence, inspiring generations of athletes and earning respect as one of the region’s greatest ambassadors.
His passing marks the end of an extraordinary era, but his legacy will continue to live on in Barbados, throughout the Caribbean and wherever the game of cricket is played.
Grammy Award-winning reggae band Morgan Heritage returns with “Come Feel The Love,” an uplifting new single written and produced by nine-time Grammy Award-winning artist, producer, and songwriter Stephen Marley.
Released on July 10th through Ghetto Youths International, the song serves as a vibrant musical invitation to experience Jamaica through its people, culture, landscapes, and unmistakable spirit. According to a media release the song celebrates the essence of Jamaica through authentic storytelling, using the universal language of reggae to capture the island’s warmth, resilience, beauty, and enduring sense of community.
Led by the unmistakable voices of Gramps Morgan and Mojo Morgan, the single paints vivid images of Jamaica’s natural beauty, from the iconic lignum vitae and soursop trees to Negril’s coastline, Lovers’ Leap, and the communities where generations have shaped one of the world’s most influential musical cultures.
Complementing the song is a visually stunning official music video produced by Filmaica and directed by Fernando Hevia. Filmed entirely on location throughout Jamaica, the visual showcases many of the island’s breathtaking landscapes and cultural landmarks. Gramps Morgan’s performance scenes were captured in Negril and at the iconic Lovers’ Leap in St. Elizabeth, both destinations referenced in the lyrics, bringing an added level of authenticity and emotional connection, while celebrating the beauty and diversity of Jamaica.
Built around the infectious refrain, “Come Feel The Love,” the record embodies Jamaica as more than a destination – it is a feeling rooted in family, music, community, and connection.
Celebrating Home.
“Come Feel The Love” marks Morgan Heritage’s first newly recorded release since the ascension of one of its founding members, Peetah Morgan, opening a new chapter for one of reggae’s most celebrated groups while honoring the legacy he helped build. The single reflects the band’s enduring commitment to carrying its message of unity, love, and cultural pride to audiences around the world.
“Jamaica has given us so much, our identity, our music, our culture, and our purpose,” said Gramps Morgan. “This song celebrates everything we love about home and invites the world to experience the same warmth and inspiration that continues to shape who we are.”
Mojo Morgan added, “Reggae has always connected people across cultures and generations. ‘Come Feel The Love’ reminds us that Jamaica’s greatest gift isn’t just its beauty, it’s the love, unity, and positive spirit that people feel the moment they arrive.”
The record seamlessly blends Morgan Heritage’s signature harmonies with Stephen Marley’s timeless production, creating a contemporary roots,reggae anthem that honors Jamaica’s traditions while introducing its story to a new generation of listeners.
As one of reggae’s most celebrated families, Morgan Heritage has spent decades carrying Jamaican music to audiences around the world, earning a Grammy Award and building a legacy of socially conscious, spiritually uplifting recordings. Their collaboration with Stephen Marley, one of reggae’s most accomplished artists and producers, brings together two of Jamaica’s most influential musical legacies in a powerful celebration of the island, its people, and its culture.
More than the release of a new single, “Come Feel The Love” represents the beginning of Morgan Heritage’s next chapter, one rooted in the same values that have defined the band for generations while embracing a renewed purpose. As they honor Peetah Morgan’s enduring legacy, the group continues its mission of celebrating Jamaica through music and spreading love, unity, hope, and positivity to audiences around the world.
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