HIV/AIDS, by Race/Ethnicity and Sex
The epidemic significantly affects both males and females in the
black and Hispanic communities (Table 9). In 2001, the rate of HIV
diagnosis for black males was almost 1.5 times the rate for Hispanic
males and nearly 5 times the rate for white males. The rate of HIV
diagnoses for black women was more than 11 times that for white women.
Rates were not calculated for other ethnic groups because of the small
number of cases.
Overall, the number of new HIV cases diagnosed has been declining
among white and black men; however, this same decrease in rates has not
been seen among black or white women (Figure 4). The annual number of
new HIV cases among black women has been higher than that among white
men since 1993.
Figure 4: Trends in HIV/AIDS, by Ethnicity and Sex
Louisiana, 1997-2001
HIV counseling and testing data provide information on new HIV
diagnoses among persons who are tested at public sites, such as STD,
family planning, prenatal, and TB clinics; drug treatment centers; CBOs;
parish health units; community health centers; and mobile test sites.
Among persons tested for the first time, the percentage of seropositive
results was higher among males than females (Figure 5). In 2001,
compared with 2000, the percentage of seropositive results among females
increased significantly. The percentage of seropositive results among
males decreased in 1998 and 1999 and then increased slightly in 2000 and
2001. HIV seropositivity is highest among blacks, and the percentage
increased substantially in this population in 2001 (Figure 6).
Figure 5: Percentage of Positivity Among Persons Tested for the
First Time, by Sex
Louisiana Counseling and Testing Data, 1997-2001
Figure 6: Percentage of Positivity Among Persons Tested for the
First Time, by Race
Louisiana Counseling and Testing Data, 1997-2001
HIV/AIDS, by Age Group
In 2001, persons aged 25–44 years accounted for more than half (56%)
of the newly diagnosed cases. Females accounted for a higher proportion
of cases among youth (13–24 years) than in any other adult age groups
(Table 10). This may be due in part to more opportunities for HIV
screening of young women, such as during routine HIV screening of
pregnant women.
In 2001, as in past years, the highest number of newly diagnosed
cases was among persons 25–44 years of age (Figure 7). However, the
diagnosis of HIV for persons in this age group has been declining
substantially since 1997. The decrease in this age group accounts for
much of the decline in the number of new HIV cases seen in recent years.
HIV seropositivity is highest in the age group 35–39 years and lowest
in the age group 13–19 years (Figure 8). In 2001, HIV seropositivity
increased in almost all age groups, but the most dramatic increase was
in the age group 35–39 years.
Figure 7: Trends in HIV/AIDS, by Age Group
Louisiana, 1997-2001
Figure 8: Percentage of Positivity Among Persons Tested for the
First Time, by Age Group
Louisiana Counseling and Testing Data, 1997-2001
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