HIV/AIDS

National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day

National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day is today, February 7th. The CDC reports “Among all racial/ethnic groups, African Americans bear the greatest burden of HIV in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 1 in 16 black men and 1 in 32 black women will be diagnosed with HIV infection during their lifetimes. In 2009, blacks made up 14% of the US population but accounted for nearly half (44%) of all new HIV infections.”

Know the facts about HIV/AIDS in New Orleans and get involved in?áLouisiana.

*Edit* the Gambit blog has more on this topic.

World Aids Day 2010

Today, December 1st, is the date globally recognized as World Aids Day. This annual observance was designated in 1988 as a way to bring attention to the AIDS/HIV epidemic.

According to the Louisiana Third Quarter 2010 HIV/Aids Report published by the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals 17,944 persons is currently living with HIV/AIDS in Louisiana. Between the months of January- December 2009 1,220 persons were newly diagnosed with HIV in Louisiana. These are only some of surprising statistics.

For more information about this observance and AIDS Awareness in general visit aids.gov.

World AIDS Day

December 1st is World AIDS Day. 2009 is the 21st observance of this day. AIDS cases in Louisiana have increased with New Orleans ranking 2nd & Baton Rouge ranking 3rd according to a recent WWL-TV report.

The Louisiana HIV/AIDS Program has a “Statewide Coordinated Need & HIV Comprehensive Plan” (pdf) for 2009 which was issued in early November.

National HIV Testing Day

According the CDC “Ever 9 1/2 minutes someone in the United States is infected with HIV,” and according to AVERT “In 2007, the highest rates of new AIDS diagnoses were in Miami (33.1 per 100,000 people), New Orleans (31.5), Baton Rouge (31.4) and Washington (30.5)”

So what can you do?

June 27th is National HIV Testing Day so take advantage of the testing opportunities taking place around you and learn the facts about HIV.

The list of local testing sites can be found below, or you can find information for other cities by visiting this site.

Who: EXCELth, Inc. HIV Prevention Program
What: Free Rapid HIV Testing
When: June 27, 2009, 9:00 am to 12:00 pm
Where: Dillard University w/ The National Coalition of 100 Black Women, 2601 Gentilly Blvd., New Orleans, LA 70122
Info: Free Rapid HIV testing, incentives. Contact: Barbara A. Peters, 504-524-1210, bpeters@excelth.com.

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Who: NO/AIDS Task Force – Community Awareness Network
What: Free Rapid HIV Testing
When: June 27, 2009, 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Where: 7800 Earhart Blvd., New Orleans, LA 70125
Info: Free HIV Testing with free food. Contact: Allison Vertovec, 504-821-2601 ext. 257, allisonv@noaidstf.org.

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Who: NO/AIDS Task Force – Community Awareness Network
What: Free Rapid HIV Testing
When: June 27, 2009, 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Where: 507 Frenchmen St., New Orleans, LA 70116
Info: Free, confidential, Rapid, HIV Antibody screening tests. Contact: Allison Vertovec, 504-821-2601, allisonv@noaidstf.org.

May 18 is HIV Vaccine Awareness Day

National Institute of Allergy & Infectious Diseases (NIAID) provides Fact Sheets, Brochures, and Questions & Answers about HIV vaccine research and trials.

HIV Vaccine Researchers are working to develop a vaccine that is 100 percent effective and will protect everyone from HIV infections. HIV research is essential for Louisiana citizens. Look at the facts below.

HIV/AIDS in Louisiana FACTS
?óÔé¼?ó As of March 31, 2008 a cumulative total of 27,744 persons have been diagnosed with HIV/AIDS in Louisiana, including 302 cases in children under the age of 13.
?óÔé¼?ó There are persons living with HIV in every parish in Louisiana, and this number continues to increase each year, largely due to more effective drug therapies.
?óÔé¼?ó A total of 15,795 persons were known to be living with HIV/AIDS in Louisiana, of which 8,281 (52%) had been diagnosed with AIDS as of March 31, 2008.
?óÔé¼?ó In 2007, 1,152 new HIV cases were diagnosed in Louisiana; 30% of the cases were in Region 1 (New Orleans area) and 28% were in Region 2 (Baton Rouge area).
?óÔé¼?ó In 2007, 803 new AIDS cases were diagnosed in Louisiana. Of these cases, 33% occurred in Region 1 (New Orleans) ad 27% occurred in Region 2 (Baton Rouge).
?óÔé¼?ó In 2006, Louisiana ranked 5th highest in state AIDS case rates and 12th in the number of AIDS cases diagnosed in 2006.
?óÔé¼?ó Baton Rouge ranked 4th for AIDS case rates among the largest metropolitan areas in the U.S. in 2006; New Orleans ranked 8th.
?óÔé¼?ó In Louisiana, 30% of new HIV cases and 31% of new AIDS cases are among women.
?óÔé¼?ó HIV continues to disproportionately affect African Americans in Louisiana. In 2007, 72% of newly diagnosed HIV cases and 75% of newly diagnosed AIDS cases were among African Americans.

World AIDS Day

December 1st is World AIDS Day. Designated in 1988, this annual observation exists to bring attention to the continuing AIDS epidemic. For additional information, resources, and statistics, check out the following websites:

Additionally, 2008 also marks the 25th anniversary of the NO/AIDS Task Force which dedicated an AIDS Memorial in Washington Square Park over the weekend.