New HIV diagnoses among young men (under the age of 30) who have sex with men in New York City have increased by 33 percent in the last six years, according to data released September 10 by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

The data showed that the rate of new diagnoses doubled among men who have sex with men (MSM)  ages 13 to 19. During the same six-year period, rates of new infections among men over the age of 30 declined 22 percent. Also, rates of HIV infection among black and Latino men are still disproportionately higher than those among men of other racial and ethnic groups.

In a health department press release, NYC Health Commissioner Dr. Thomas R. Frieden stated that “unless young men reduce the number of partners they have, and protect themselves and their partners by using condoms more consistently, we will face another wave of suffering and death from HIV and AIDS.”