The 1.5 million homeless adolescents in the United States are at an increased risk of HIV infection because they engage in sexual and substance-abuse behaviors that place them at increased risk. These at-risk youth also demonstrate other problem behaviors that reduce their coping responses. This article calls for model HIV prevention programs and interventions for HIV-positive youths, implemented for homeless adolescents, to be disseminated on a national level. Social policies must recognize youths' rights to basic survival needs; comprehensively address the needs of dysfunctional, disenfranchised, and single-parent families; and provide continuity of care for adolescents to facilitate independent living. The authors also contend that special provisions must be made when designing programs for gay, sexually abused, and substance-abusing youths.
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