At 30, the AIDS epidemic is older than three young black men who speak out as part of Windy City Times’ AIDS at 30 series, produced in partnership with the AIDS Foundation of Chicago.

Yet it is among young people that HIV infection rates continue to climb.  That reflects a lack of education, says Marlin Pierre, but it also reflects a need for young people to be more responsible.

“Today’s society of youth is not educated on how harmful this disease is,” says Pierre. “Most youth are not informed or taught the fundamentals of what HIV is and how it could be prevented.”  He adds: “Most youth are having sex with numerous people and are not using protection.”

Pierre, Brian Williams, and James Bibbs speak frankly about resistance to condoms, the role of drug usage as well as rape in spreading HIV/AIDS, and the problem of people not telling their partners they are infected.

“A prevention plan around all these topics needs to occur to help the youth and show them and teach them a more positive approach on how to prevent the epidemic of HIV and AIDS,” says Williams.

Bibbs highlights the advice and support he’s gotten from his sister, his mother, and his grandmother.

The series features general news about HIV/AIDS along with profiles of people living with AIDS and people and organizations fighting HIV/AIDS in a variety of ways.  It’s ongoing, so check it out and come back again.