HIV/STDs

Many people struggle to find the right words to start the conversation about sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). April is Louisiana STD Awareness Month, with the theme of “Start the Conversation — About STDs.” Its slogan is, “It doesn’t matter how, it just matters that you do. Start the conversation!”

The cities of New Orleans and Baton Rouge are joining with the Louisiana Department of Health in pledging their support for the U=U Campaign. In February, LDH Secretary Dr. Rebekah Gee gave the Department’s support for the campaign.

The Louisiana Department of Health’s Office of Public health is offering STD testing at no cost to patients at select Parish Health Units on April 24, April 25 and April 26 in support of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s STD Awareness Month. Through this initiative, the Office of Public Health hopes to promote awareness about STDs and remove potential barriers for screening and testing. In addition to STD screening, residents can also receive free testing for HIV.

Louisiana HIV/Syphilis/Hepatitis Quarterly Reports presented by Louisiana Department of Health , Office of Public Health, STD/HIV Program.

The Louisiana Department of Health has received a $550,000 grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to strengthen its congenital syphilis activities and initiatives.

STD and HIV infection in Louisiana require responsive interventions to decrease new infections, slow HIV disease progression, increase individual awareness of STD and HIV status, and help ensure access to medical care for persons who have HIV or need treatment for an STD. The 2013 STD/HIV Program Report provides a thorough surveillance profile, as well as descriptions of the state’s prevention, counseling and testing, care, services, housing, and evaluation programs. While many challenges remain, the report highlights several areas of progress. This report reflects data through the end of the 2013 calendar year and is the most recent report available as of 2015.

The Louisiana Department of Health (LDH), STD/HIV Program, is issuing a Request for Proposals (RFP) for qualified proposers to provide pharmacy benefits management services through a comprehensive network of pharmacies, to eligible clients residing in all 64 parishes in Louisiana.

Louisiana, including Caddo Parish, consistently experiences some of the highest rates of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in the United States. The most recent studies by the CDC, 2015 data, show Louisiana has the highest rate in the nation for primary and secondary syphilis and the highest gonorrhea rate. Further, among the top 70 counties/parishes in the U.S., Caddo is ranked 59.

The rate of babies born with syphilis is rising in Louisiana, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC found the rate of congenital syphilis rose by 6% nationwide between 2014 and 2015. Director of the Bureau of Infectious Diseases for the Office of Public Health, Dr. DeAnn Gruber, says the problem is even worse in Louisiana.

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.