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.
Ahead of the celebration of its 40th anniversary, The Miami Broward Carnival Host Committee is today extending its heartfelt sympathies and prayers to all those affected by Hurricane Milton. In a media release issued, the committee reaffirms its commitment to helping to support all rebuilding and restoration efforts.
“Miami Carnival has always been a symbol of resilience, joy, and togetherness; this year is no exception. As the West Coast and Central Florida face the devastating aftermath impacts of this Category 3 storm, we stand in solidarity with the affected families and communities,” read the media release. The committee highlights that amid preparations for the festival this weekend, the recent natural disaster has undoubtedly deepened its sense of gratitude for the traditions and community bonds that the carnival has been strengthened by. “Our thoughts are with all impacted communities as they begin the journey toward recovery and healing.”
Machel Montano To Be Honored at Panorama on Friday.
As part of this year’s milestone celebration, Miami Carnival, the City of Lauderhill and the City of Miami will honor the contributions of Soca legend, Machel Montano at the Miami Broward Panorama on Friday. The event takes place at the Central Broward Park in Lauderhill and the Miami Carnival Parade of Bands and Concert on Sunday, October 13th will be staged at the Miami Dade County Fair & Expo, Inc.
“Montano, a Grammy-recognized, multi-award-winning artist, and producer, has brought joy and pride to the Caribbean diaspora through his music for decades. As the King of Soca, Montano has won ten Road March titles, a prestigious honor in Trinidad and Tobago Carnival,” the committee’s statement read.
Maintaining its commitment to aiding with relief efforts following the recent hurricane, then host committee is calling on the broader community to support the Caribbean Strong Relief Efforts in partnership with the Global Empowerment Mission (GEM), which has already mobilized to provide aid to those impacted by Hurricane Milton. “As part of our commitment to supporting the Caribbean community, Miami Carnival will be donating to these relief efforts and encouraging all to contribute, whether through time, donations, or resources, to support the ongoing relief efforts.”
To donate or volunteer with Caribbean Strong, please visit:
Four-time Grammy Award winning artist, producer, and lyrical master, Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley, has unleashed the video for his powerful new track “Banner.” The track will officially be released on Friday, October 11th.
This homegrown anthem tackles critical issues such as scams, absent fathers, police misconduct, and widespread corruption. With its raw, thought-provoking lyrics, the song urges listeners to hold firm to their morals amidst the chaos. Damian powerfully states, “Give thanks the righteous still a wave dem banner.”
Collaborating with acclaimed producer Scoop DeVille – who has worked with the likes of Kendrick Lamar, Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Nipsey Hussle, 50 Cent, Busta Rhymes, and more – Gong continues to push creative boundaries.
“Banner” precedes the release of his poignant summer single “Wisemen,” which offers a rare perspective on love and relationships. In it, Marley reflects, “True love is hard to find. And even if it don’t exist you cannot fault a man for trying.”
Earlier this year, he released “My Sweet Lord,” a spiritual reinterpretation of George Harrison’s original track, that came with high accolades from George Harrison’s wife, Olivia Harrison, as well as the George Harrison Estate. Damian’s latest three singles were released under the Ghetto Youth International (GYI) record label, which is co-owned by Damian, and his brothers Stephen and Julian Marley.
Damian just wrapped up a 22-date Marley Brothers Legacy Tour that ran across North America. He entertained fans across the US alongside his brothers, Ziggy Marley, Stephen Marley, Julian Marley and Ky-Mani Marley. The tour wrapped up October 5th in Miami.
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