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A CDC report released on January 10
indicates that the Baton Rouge, La., metropolitan area—which consists of nine
parishes—ranks second among major U.S. metropolitan areas for new HIV infection
diagnoses. CDC’s report is based on 2010 data of all U.S. metropolitan areas
with more than 500,000 people. HIV case rates measure the number of new HIV
cases per 100,000 persons. Baton Rouge’s 2010 HIV diagnosis rate was 52.1,
indicating that approximately 52 people per 100,000 population were diagnosed
with the virus. New Orleans’ rate is 44.3, ranking third in the United States.
Miami, with a rate of 59.2, ranks first.
Timothy Young, executive director of
the Baton Rouge HIV/AIDS Alliance for Region Two, notes that HIV diagnoses are
high among homosexual men, particularly among young African-American men living
in uninsured, low-income communities. He emphasizes that the problem is
pervasive throughout the South. The CDC report states Miami’s rate of 93.1 HIV
diagnoses among males ranked first in the United States; Baton Rouge was second
at 70.1; and New Orleans was third with a 69.8 rate. According to the report,
Baton Rouge, with a rate of 35, was first in new HIV cases among all females in
2010; Miami was second at 27.5; Jacksonville, Fla., was third at 23.1; and New
Orleans was fourth at 21.3.
Young points out the unique aspect
of the January 10 CDC report, saying CDC regularly publishes reports about AIDS
diagnoses by metropolitan area, but this report on HIV infection diagnoses
gives physicians the opportunity to treat HIV more effectively before AIDS
manifests itself. Young declares, “By being able to detect HIV infection, we
can get a clearer picture of those who are already infected. That could help us
improve our targeted demographics.” He adds that the best ways to prevent HIV
infection are to get tested and practice safe sex.
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is
dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and
empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV
virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
TOGETHER WE REMAIN STRONG!
