When it comes to HIV cases in the state, Louisiana saw the lowest numbers in more than a decade according to the Louisiana Department of Health, with a 12% decline in newly diagnosed cases over the past three years. Assistant secretary of the Office of Public Health Dr. Alex Billioux says there is a possibility that cases of HIV have dropped to the lowest rate since the 80’s.
“That was when were probably seeing artificially low numbers as a result of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita," Billioux said. "So if we really compare this to the last time we were at this level, it’s 1988. That’s essentially the beginning of the epidemic in this state.”
989 cases were diagnosed in 2018. Billioux says several factors contribute toward the decrease in the spread of the disease, including expanding testing and moving faster to get those infected on the medications they need soon.
“Medicaid expansion has helped us reach more patients, especially people living with HIV who were in uninsured populations,” said Billioux.
He adds there are still hurdles to clear in dropping the number of new cases even further, because there are many people that still do not want to be tested.
“We really need to remove that stigma and that fear that is associated with those old views and those concerns about HIV,” said Billioux.