Louisiana had the nation's fourth highest AIDS case rate in 2010, and Baton Rouge and New Orleans were first and fifth, respectively, among U.S. cities in AIDS case rates. These high rankings emphasize the necessity for Louisianians to take action by getting tested for HIV.
At a news conference today at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH) officials announced free HIV testing will be provided outside this Saturday's Bayou Classic game. The testing is being provided by DHH, OraSure Technologies, Inc., and the Kaiser Family Foundation's "Greater Than AIDS" movement. Fans can get screened on game day from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. at the Louisiana STD/HIV Program Health Fair tent in Champions Square next to the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.
The HIV epidemic continues to have a significant impact on the public health of Louisiana. Louisiana Statistical information related to HIV/AIDS are available here.
Take the Test! Take Control! This is the key message of this year’s National HIV Testing Day, set for June 27. The day is dedicated to encouraging people to find out their HIV status and helping those who are positive access treatment and reduce the risk of transmitting the virus to others.
