CDC data shows HIV infections down, but

Data published Tuesday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows a significant decline in new H infections, but suggests the impact of prevention efforts was far less substantial for lack and Latino populations.

rom - , as rates of H testing, treatment and the use of pre-exposure prophylaxis PrEP medication rose, new cases dropped by percent overall and by as much as percent among gay and bisexual males aged - .

The numbers show a “move in the right direction,” C C irector ochelle alensky said in a press release.

However, when broken down by race, the C C found new infections were down by percent and percent, respectively, among lack and Latino populations, compared with percent of whites.

which is why his announcement is a rallying cry to the L T community and our allies that we must redouble our efforts to elect pro-choice L T candidates in and . On Election ay, our message must be resounding we are not going back.”

CHRISTOPHER KANE

Mostly Among Whites

Similarly, by about one third of those who are considered eligible were taking PrEP for H prevention, but the C C noted this number includes “relatively few lack people or Hispanic Latino people” despite the significant increase in prescriptions up from ust percent in . “Longstanding factors, such as systemic ine uities, social and economic marginali ation and residential segregation,” alensky noted, continue to act as barriers “between highly effective H treatment and prevention and people who could benefit from them.”

She added, “Efforts must be accelerated and strengthened for progress to reach all groups faster and e uitably.” obyn Neblett anfair, acting director of the C C’s ivision of H Prevention, said that “At least three people in the .S. get H every hour at a time when we have more effective prevention and treatment options than ever before.”

“These tools must reach deep into communities and be delivered faster to expand progress from some groups to all groups,” she said.

The H Hepatitis Policy nstitute issued a press release following the C C’s announcement of the new data, noting both the encouraging progress and need for improvement.

“ t appears that our investments in H prevention are providing some positive results, but the persistent high number of new diagnoses and the low usage of PrEP among the communities most impacted by H point to the need for increased resources, particularly for a national PrEP program,” said the group’s executive director, Carl Schmid.

President Joe iden’s budget re uested million for a national PrEP program along with million to support the .S. epartment of Health and Human Services’ “Ending the H Epidemic in the .S.” initiative.

CHRISTOPHER KANE

Biden unveils new steps to protect youth online

The iden-Harris administration announced a slate of new actions on Tuesday that are designed to better protect youth on social media and online platforms by applying a whole-of-government approach to address issues concerning mental health, safety and privacy.

The hite House noted that “undeniable” evidence links these technologies to the country’s “unprecedented youth mental health crisis,” with rates of depression and anxiety rising sharply among young people, including L T students, percent of whom report having persistent feelings of sadness.

New actions previewed by the administration’s fact sheet include the creation of an interagency Task orce on ids Online Health and Safety, which will be administered by the .S. epartment of Health and Human Services’ Substance

Abuse and ental Health Services Administration in coordination with the .S. epartment of Commerce.

The task force will develop a blueprint for new research on the harms and health benefits to minors caused by online platforms, “recommend measures and methods for assessing, preventing, and mitigating” the harms, and “recommend best practices and technical standards for transparency reports and audits related to online harms to the privacy, health, and safety of children and teenagers.” ork product from the task force will include resources for parents and legal guardians to better protect their children’s mental health, safety and privacy online, as well as “voluntary guidance, policy recommendations and a toolkit on safety, health and privacy-by-design” for industry, with the latter expected by spring .

Other initiatives highlighted in the administration’s fact sheet include rulemaking by the .S. epartment of Education to protect the privacy of minor students’ data and address concerns with its moneti ation. The agency will also be tasked with drafting “model policies and voluntary best practices for school districts on the use of internet-enabled devices.”

Additionally, the hite House announced, the Commerce epartment will work to curb the online harassment and abuse of minors by “promoting awareness of services and support for youth victims,” while the .S. epartment of Homeland Security will coordinate efforts with the .S. epartment of Justice on new approaches to “detect and investigate offenses involving child sexual abuse material.”

CHRISTOPHER KANE