Ending the AIDS Epidemic for Adolescents, with Adolescents

AIDS is now the leading cause of death among adolescents (aged 10–19 years) in Africa, and it is the second most common cause of death among adolescents globally. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development includes a specific goal to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages. Within this goal it includes a specific target (3.3), which aims at ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030.

The purpose of this document is to provide guidance to programme designers, implementers, policy and decision makers on how to meaningfully engage adolescents in the AIDS response and broader health programming, and to demonstrate why adolescents and youth are critical in efforts to end the AIDS epidemic by 2030. It also highlights what steps should be taken to implement programmes and policies that improve adolescent health outcomes (including for HIV) at the national, regional and global levels.