South Africa has made incredible strides in fighting HIV AIDS but a hidden hurdle remains.
Teenagers often diagnosed during adolescence face unique challenges sticking to their
medication (ART). This is because adolescence coincides with a critical brain development stage
particularly in areas responsible for planning and organization - skills crucial for taking
medication consistently. This executive dysfunction can lead to missed doses and jeopardize the
effectiveness of their treatment. Understanding this link between brain development and
adherence is vital for improving HIV treatment outcomes for young South Africans.
