Overall HIV/AIDS Trends
Statewide during 2001, a total of 1,078 new HIV cases were diagnosed.
This number reflects persons whose HIV infection was first diagnosed in
2001 and who were reported to the health department. Because of the
potentially long delay from HIV infection to diagnosis, AIDS and HIV
infection may be diagnosed at the same time. (Positive results of
anonymous tests are not included in the data because of the likelihood
of repeat tests.) In recent years, the number of diagnosed cases,
including the number of expected cases (for methods of estimating, see
reporting delay in the Glossary), has remained fairly stable.
Reporting delays were estimated by using a maximum likelihood procedure,
taking into account possible differences in reporting delays in the
exposure, geographic, ethnic, age, and gender categories. The estimated
numbers of cases that will be reported are presented as expected cases.
Of the newly diagnosed cases in 2001, 20% were simultaneous diagnoses of
AIDS and HIV infection (Figure 1).
Figure 1: Trends in Cases of HIV Infection and AIDS
Louisiana, 1997-2001
The number of persons living with HIV infection has increased each
year (Figure 2). At the end of 2001, a total of 13,565 persons were
known to be living with HIV in Louisiana; in 6,236 persons (46%), HIV
infection had progressed to AIDS. This number represents a minimum
estimate of persons living with HIV by the end of 2001 because it
does not include HIV-infected persons who have not been tested or who
have only been tested anonymously. The HIV/AIDS Surveillance Program
estimates that between 18,600 and 20,700 persons were living with HIV at
the end of 2001. Of all persons living with HIV infection, the
proportion of persons living with AIDS increased from 43% in 1997 to 46%
in 2001. This trend is largely due to the introduction of effective drug
treatment and therapies, which can often delay the progression from HIV
to AIDS and from AIDS to death.
Figure 2: Persons Living with HIV Infection and Persons Living with AIDS
Louisiana, 1997-2001
Blacks continue to be disproportionately affected by HIV/AIDS.
Although only 32% of the state’s population is black, this group
represented 74% of the new HIV cases diagnosed in 2001 and 64% of all
persons living with HIV infection (Table 8). The HIV diagnosis rate for
blacks is more than 6 times higher than the rate for whites and 3 times
higher than that for Hispanics.
The proportion of new HIV/AIDS cases reported among women in
Louisiana has increased steadily. In 2001, 28% of the persons living
with HIV were women; however, 36% of new cases diagnosed were in women.
The majority of persons diagnosed with HIV in 2001 and living with
HIV at the end of 2001 were between the ages of 25 and 44 (Table 8).
Twenty percent of new HIV cases were diagnosed in teenagers or young
adults, ages 13-24. In 2001, nine infants were diagnosed with HIV.
In 2001, more cases of HIV were diagnosed in the New Orleans region
(Region I) than the other regions. However, that same year, as in past
years, the Baton Rouge region (Region II) surpassed the New Orleans
region in the rate of diagnosis of HIV infection (number of cases per
population in the region). More than two thirds of the persons living
with HIV/AIDS in Louisiana reside in either the New Orleans or Baton
Rouge regions (Table 8).
As of December 31, 2001, a total of 13,565 persons were
reported to be living with HIV/AIDS in Louisiana. This map (Figure 3)
illustrates the parishes where these persons reside. Currently, there
are HIV-infected persons living in every parish in Louisiana.
Figure 3: Persons Living with HIV/AIDS by Parish
Louisiana, 2001
As of the end of 2001, there were 12 parishes in which more than 300
persons per 100,000 were living with HIV infection. The reporting of
large numbers of HIV cases by correctional facilities accounts for
disproportionately high HIV prevalence rates in some of these parishes
(e.g., Allen, Avoyelles, West Feliciana, Winn). The Baton Rouge region
had the highest concentration of persons per capita living with HIV;
prevalence rates for 5 of the 7 parishes in this region were more than
300 per 100,000 (Figure 3). Although most of the persons living with HIV
are concentrated in urban areas, 15% live in rural areas.
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