Join the Fight Against HIV

December is HIV Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness about HIV, break the stigma, and encourage testing and prevention efforts. At Southeast Community Health Systems (SCHS), we are committed to providing accessible care and resources to help our community stay informed and protected.

Baton Rouge's HIV Challenge

HIV remains a significant public health concern in Louisiana, and Baton Rouge continues to face alarming statistics:

• Louisiana ranks 4th in the nation for HIV diagnosis rates, with 18.6 new diagnoses per 100,000 population.
• Baton Rouge ranks 5th among large metropolitan areas in the United States for HIV diagnosis rates.
• In 2021, 19 percent of new HIV cases in Louisiana were diagnosed in Region 2, which includes Baton Rouge.

Disparities Highlight the Need for Awareness

HIV disproportionately impacts certain populations in our community:

• In 2023, 68 percent of people newly diagnosed with HIV and 69 percent of people newly diagnosed with AIDS were Black.
• HIV also significantly affects younger individuals. In 2023:
  • 24 percent of people newly diagnosed with HIV were aged 13 to 24.
  • An additional 34 percent were aged 25 to 34.

These disparities emphasize the critical need for continued education, prevention, and testing services.

Get Tested. Get Protected.

At SCHS, we provide free and confidential HIV testing to help you take control of your health. We also offer PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis), a medication that significantly reduces the risk of contracting HIV.

Your health matters. Protect yourself and your loved ones today.

Schedule your appointment for free testing or to learn more about PrEP by visiting our website:
Learn more at https://www.shchc.org/services/hiv-testing.

Together, we can reduce the impact of HIV in our community and move closer to an AIDS-free generation.

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