David Armstead, HIV program monitor with the Louisiana Department of Health Office of Public Health, has been named as one of the Top 100 people in the nation working to end the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Armstead was recognized for his volunteer outreach efforts in the New Orleans area where he also serves as chair of the New Orleans Regional AIDS Planning Council.

In addition to Armstead, six other Louisiana residents were also recognized by POZ, an award-winning print publication and website that targets people living with and affected by HIV/AIDS. 

POZ wrote that Armstead became involved with HIV prevention in 2012 when a friend asked him to volunteer at an outreach event. 

“Six months later, Armstead started working as a community specialist and began conducting HIV testing and outreach to young black gay and bisexual men. He has built a strong relationship within the New Orleans community by providing a source of information people could trust,” POZ said in their feature on Armstead. 

The POZ 100 focuses on nominees located in the south as this part of the country generally lags behind other U.S. regions in many key HIV prevention and care indicators. 

“In this presidential election year, our choice of a POZ 100 theme was clear,” said Oriol Gutierrez, POZ’s editor-in-chief. “We can’t end the U.S. HIV/AIDS epidemic without addressing the impact of the virus in the South, so we wanted this year’s list to spotlight the efforts of those who are already leading the way.” 

The other Louisiana residents on the POZ 100 list include: 

Dazmine Allen, New Orleans

Chip Eakins, Shreveport

Darnell Ferrell, Marrero

Monica Johnson, Columbia

Alleen King-Carter, Shreveport

Dr. Joyce Turner-Keller, Baton Rouge   

Go to poz.com/100 to see this year’s full list.

The Louisiana Department of Health strives to protect and promote health statewide and to ensure access to medical, preventive and rehabilitative services for all state residents. To learn more about LDH, visit www.ldh.la.gov. For up-to-date health information, news and emergency updates, follow LDH's Twitter account and Facebook.