Global health agencies say AIDS has become the leading cause of death for adolescents in Africa and the second leading cause of death among adolescents globally.

Eight international organizations launched a campaign Tuesday in Kenya to stem the spread among adolescents. They said about 120,000 people aged between 10-19 years died of AIDs-related illnesses in 2013.

The organizations, including UNAIDs, U.N. children's fund, World Health Organization and the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief or PEPFAR, say adolescent girls in sub-Saharan Africa are most affected.

U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator Deborah Birx says the future of the region rests in the health and well-being of the youth. UNAIDS says it aims to reduce HIV infections in adolescents by 75 percent, and AIDS-related deaths by 65 percent by 2020.