"A lot of young people think the AIDS epidemic is in the past," said junior Eva Alden, co-coordinator of the Leonard Carmichael Society group Sex Talk. "[They think] that since treatments have gotten so much better, it isn't as bad as it was."
But according to recent data, they're wrong. AIDS is spreading among younger people. People under 25 only make up one-third of the U.S. population, but according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), nearly half of all new HIV cases occur in this demographic.
AIDS cases have increased 10 percent in females and 7 percent in males, according to the CDC. There are now nearly a million cases of AIDS in the country.
Massachusetts only has 18,339 of those cases - a low number compared to that of New York, the state with the most infected individuals (166,814). But despite having lower numbers than other states, AIDS cases in Massachusetts are rising: A HIV/AIDS data fact sheet posted at www.mass.gov shows a 25 percent increase in Mass. residents living with AIDS in the last five years.
"It's pretty amazing how much even college students don't know," said Alden, who, through Sex Talk, educates students about safe sex in order to prevent the spread of infections including HIV.
For Alden, HIV and AIDS are more than just educational topics: She is close with four people infected with HIV. Alden worked at Planned Parenthood as a sex educator for six months. She also spent last summer doing research on nutrition in HIV patients.
"The reality is that yes, new drugs work better and keep people alive longer, but there still isn't a cure," Alden said.
In an effort to increase HIV prevention, Health Services offers confidential testing for HIV. The service includes pre- and post-test counseling.
"Early diagnosis and treatment can prevent the progression of AIDS and keep people healthier longer," said Margaret Higham, medical director of Tufts Health Services.
But she added that many young people are reluctant to get tested. "Many medical issues are stressful for students," Higham said.
To alleviate concerns, Higham said that Health Services treats students "respectfully" and offers them quick appointments with trained staff. Health Services also supplies information about HIV/AIDS that is tailored towards people of all sexualities: "We provide literature and signs that indicate a LGBT-friendly setting," Higham said.
Despite the wealth of information available to them, others students are scared to get tested because they are nervous about receiving the results. "Getting tested is frightening," Alden said. "But it is also one of the best ways people can stop the spread of HIV."
Alden recommends going to get tested with a companion. "Pick a friend who won't judge you and will be there for you, no matter what the results are," she said.
The infection of young people may be due in part to a lack of candid discussion. Sex Talk tries to put students more at ease with discussing the disease through informal dorm talks.
"I think younger people are afraid to talk with their partners about getting tested for HIV, or any STI for that matter," Alden said. "It's important to have that conversation with someone because by having it you're protecting yourself."
The spread of HIV among younger people also involves a lack of condom use. Though Health Services provides free condoms, several interviewed males - who did not wish to be identified - said that they do not use them.
"I don't think people have a problem using a condom," Alden said. "[But] I think people don't like to use condoms."
Sophomore Yuna Park said that the logistics of sex hamper condom use. "I don't want them to go flaccid on me, so I don't bring it up," she said.
Tufts alumnus Adam Glickman (LA '89) thinks condoms are so necessary that he made a business out of creating and marketing them. While at Tufts, Glickman began distributing Jumbo condoms in an effort to combat AIDS among college students. His ventures later led to Condomania, a condom shop that moved online in 1999.
Junior Heather Hauswirth believes the ability to "negotiate" condom use is very important for sexually active individuals. "If you don't feel comfortable asking for a condom, you probably shouldn't be having sex," she said.
The Leonard Carmichael Society is hosting an AIDS Candlelight Vigil tonight to mark World AIDS Day. Students will gather at 7:30 p.m. on the Tisch Library roof to pay respects to people who have passed away from AIDS, as well as to share personal stories.
