TeenAIDS is challenging the ridiculously high bar for teens to buy the new HIV home test kits.  On Thursday, June 13, I am traveling to Washington DC with nine college interns and the first young high school female to be tested publicly in front of hundreds of onlookers and a TV camera crew, to deliver petitions to the FDA and US Senators and Congress people. Our petition is simple:

“We urge the FDA and Congress to lower the age restriction on the recently approved HIV home test kits from 17 to 15, and by prescription for younger teens. It is the human right of all maturing teens to test their own bodies to protect their health. Early detection means early medical treatments and a longer life.”

Here are some of the reasons:

All studies show that adolescents are beginning sex at earlier ages with the majority by age 16. We are running into more teens experimenting with sex between 13-15 (and some at younger ages).  They are at risk if they have unprotected sexual intercourse or if the condom breaks. They are at risk if they share needles whether for drugs, tattoos or even body piercings.

The CDC has recommended that family physicians conduct annual HIV tests on every citizen age 13 and older — but it rarely happens. Approximately 90% of all teens have never been tested once for AIDS despite growing numbers of HIV-positive youth.

The U.S. Military is the largest tester for teen HIV in the U.S. today because they recognize the risk to the health and preparedness of their personnel.

The vast majority of schools are not promoting any information about testing.

Teens know more about sex at early ages than any other generation in history.

On June 4, 2013 the Food and Drug Administration announced that the emergency contraceptive Plan B One-Step must be made available for women ages 15 and older, with a prescription for younger girls.

I am proud that TeenAIDS is the first entity in the country to conduct free and public HIV testing for teens despite attempts to shut us down. History is being made.