中國截至2024年底的艾滋病病毒（HIV）感染者與患者累計已達135.5萬人，這個數字令人警惕，且仍在每年持續上升，顯示出防控工作的迫切性。從統計資料來看，男性感染者佔了絕大多數，約為76%，男女感染比例達3.2:1，顯示男性在高風險性行為中的比例遠高於女性。特別值得注意的是，青少年與老年群體的感染率也在逐年增加，呈現雙端擴散的趨勢。

造成中國艾滋病感染數據居高不下的原因，首先與「傳播途徑的變化」密切相關。根據疾控中心的數據，異性間性行為已成為主要傳播方式，占整體傳播途徑的73.4%，遠高於同性性行為的25.2%，而母嬰傳播僅佔0.1%。這代表人們對於異性性行為的風險仍然普遍存在低估，認為「異性戀安全、同性戀才危險」的觀念已不合時宜。事實上，許多感染都是在缺乏安全措施、性伴侶不固定的異性關係中發生，尤其是在性教育不足的背景下，更容易讓年輕族群誤入風險。

同時，青少年感染的增加也令人擔憂。根據《中國青年生殖健康藍皮書》的資料，2023年有3010例新通報的青年學生病例，年齡主要集中在15至24歲之間，甚至有不少是15至17歲的青少年，這個年齡層本該是受教育、發展自我的階段，卻暴露於高風險行為中。更值得警惕的是，在青年學生感染者中，絕大多數是同性性行為傳播，佔比高達84.7%，異性性行為則為14.0%。這不僅反映出當代青年在性取向上的多樣化，更顯示出校園性教育的滯後與失效，許多年輕人對安全性行為的知識貧乏，導致缺乏自我保護意識。

此外，老年人群的感染數據也不容忽視。隨著中國人口老齡化，老年人群中再婚、嫖娼等行為的存在，加之對性病防範意識較低，也成為新的傳播高風險群體。許多老年人不願意使用保險套，且就醫時難以啟齒病情，導致確診延遲、傳染擴散。

要有效遏止愛滋病毒的傳播，關鍵在於全社會對「性教育」的重視與普及。中國長期以來對性議題持保守態度，學校教育中對性健康的內容往往過於簡略甚至迴避，使得青少年無從正確獲取知識，只能從網路等非正式管道自行探索，這反而可能增加錯誤觀念與高風險行為的發生。因此，全面且科學的性教育必須從小學、中學乃至大學全方位推行，強調使用保險套的重要性、認識性病的傳播方式與危險徵兆。

同時，社會對HIV感染者的歧視問題也需正視。許多感染者因擔心遭排斥而不願接受檢測與治療，反而加劇了傳染風險。政府與媒體應透過公眾宣導破除迷思，營造更包容的醫療與社會環境。

最後，技術層面的預防措施亦不可或缺。如推廣PrEP（暴露前預防性投藥）、PEP（暴露後預防）等先進方式，並擴大免費HIV檢測與匿名服務的可及性，讓更多人能及早發現、及早治療。只有多管齊下，才能真正遏止這場長期而隱性的流行病。

As of the end of 2024, China has reported approximately 1.355 million people currently living with HIV/AIDS, according to the latest data from the National Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Of these, male patients account for a staggering 76%, with a male-to-female ratio of 3.2:1. Alarmingly, infection rates are rising among both young people and the elderly, and the number continues to grow year by year. This makes the prevention and control of AIDS an increasingly urgent public health issue.

One of the main reasons for the persistently high HIV infection rates in China lies in the changing patterns of transmission. Heterosexual transmission has now become the primary route, accounting for 73.4% of cases—far exceeding homosexual transmission (25.2%) and mother-to-child transmission (0.1%). This challenges the common misconception that heterosexual relationships are “safe” while homosexual ones are “dangerous.” In reality, many infections occur within heterosexual relationships where partners are unprotected or not exclusive. With inadequate sex education, these risks are often overlooked, particularly among the younger generation.

Adolescents are of particular concern. According to the Blue Book on Youth Reproductive Health in China, co-published by the National Health Commission’s Health Development Research Center, 3,010 new HIV cases were reported among student populations aged 15 to 24 in 2023, accounting for 2.7% of all new cases that year. Notably, cases among students aged 15 to 17 have remained above 400 annually in recent years. Among these infected youths, an overwhelming 84.7% were infected through homosexual transmission, while 14.0% were through heterosexual contact. This reflects not only the growing diversity in sexual orientation among young people but also a significant lag in school-based sex education. Many teenagers lack proper knowledge of safe sex practices and are therefore unable to effectively protect themselves.

Moreover, HIV infections among the elderly are becoming more common. With China’s aging population, issues such as remarriage and commercial sex are not uncommon in older demographics. These individuals often have low awareness of sexually transmitted diseases and may be unwilling to use condoms. Their reluctance to seek medical help or disclose symptoms further contributes to delayed diagnosis and continued transmission.

To curb the spread of HIV effectively, comprehensive sex education must be a top priority across society. Traditionally, Chinese society has held a conservative view toward sexuality, and sex-related topics are often downplayed or avoided in schools. As a result, young people are forced to learn from unreliable sources such as the internet, which increases the risk of misinformation and unsafe sexual behaviors. A robust, science-based sex education curriculum—covering the importance of condom use, transmission routes of STDs, and how to recognize symptoms—should be implemented from primary school through university.

Additionally, the issue of social stigma toward HIV-positive individuals must be addressed. Many people with HIV fear discrimination, which discourages them from getting tested or seeking treatment—ultimately worsening the spread of the virus. The government and media must promote public awareness and reduce stigma to create a more inclusive healthcare and social environment.

Finally, the adoption of medical prevention strategies is equally important. The promotion of PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) and PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis), along with broader access to free and anonymous HIV testing, will help ensure early detection and timely treatment. Only by adopting a multi-pronged approach can China hope to truly contain and eventually reverse the growing HIV epidemic.