Today, December 1st, we should reflect about the epidemic not only as a chronic, but a lethal disease devastating the population of some developing countries in the African continent and South East Asia. And here in the U.S., especially in New York City, the number

of newly diagnosed HIV infection among young people is growing silently despite the recent commitment of Governor Andrew Cuomo to end AIDS by 2020. A new report released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found only 30%

of 1.2 million Americans living with HIV actually have the disease under control. The researchers found only 13% of HIV patients aged 18 to 24 had achieved viral suppression. These sobering statistics brings about the urgent need to redirect our attention to the devastating reality that young people of color face: HIV/AIDS is still a leading encumbrance in their lives.