Young People | Elton John AIDS Foundation

To end new HIV transmissions by 2030, it’s vital that we focus support on young people now.

1,100 young people become infected with HIV every day and AIDS is one of the leading causes of death in 10–19-year-olds worldwide.

Young people aren’t getting enough support. This is especially true for LGBTQ+ young people, adolescent girls and young women.

These are critical years when people are discovering their identities. They’re navigating new relationships and are naturally more likely to take risks.

Until now, too many services have failed to engage young people. They need to be redesigned, redirected and shaped by what young people actually want and need.

What we’re doing

We’re pioneering new ways of reaching young people, bringing them non-judgemental services and honest, accurate health information right into young people’s hands wherever they are.

That means:

using mobile platforms to link young people quickly to the information, services, and products they need to take care of their mental and sexual health – using the real-time digital feedback this creates to keep offering more of what they want most
offering support wherever young people are, whether it’s remote rural areas, community centres, night clubs or pharmacies
joining services and information together so young people have a ‘one-stop shop’ for all their health and wellbeing needs
bringing mental health to the fore, because young people with mental health disorders are statistically at much higher risk of HIV acquisition
working to make sure young people feel heard, informed and confident enough to manage their own health
using new technologies and gathering measurement data so we can constantly understand trends, and check what works to create positive change.

We’re working around the world, but with a special focus in sub-Saharan Africa, where AIDS is THE biggest cause of death in 10–19-year-olds.

Zipline

The first ever drone delivery programme in Kenya, Zipline offers anyone with a phone a way to directly and confidentially order affordable medical supplies and sexual health products like condoms or home STI tests. They receive them securely within an hour to wherever they are, whether that’s a friend’s house, nightclub or sports venue.

This approach cuts long waits and complex supply chains between young people and the products they need, helping them take charge of their health. The simplified healthcare logistics also result in enormous cost savings.

Triggerise Tiko Mobilier talks to a young person in the community and enrols them on the digital health platform.

In Their Hands

We’re supporting Triggerise’s digital app, Tiko, which links adolescents in Kenya to high quality health services. This easy-to-use platform allows young people to decide if, when, and where to access services, giving them the control.

Reminders and reward points encourage them to keep accessing the care they’ve chosen. Crucially, young people can also rate their service experiences on the platform, putting their voices at the centre of this approach.

Young Africa Live

We’ve partnered with META and app developer Reach to create a virtual health information platform for young people in South Africa. Through a WhatsApp chatbot, young people can access edutainment content on topics from sexuality to mental health to relationships, find local services or ask to speak to someone for help with planning their care.

Young people can also engage with their peers on facebook pages dedicated to different health topics. This allows us to see trending discussions and constantly adapt content to improve the service.