Report: Alarming HIV infection increase in New Orleans teens

• In 2023, out of every 100,000 people in Louisiana, 22.3 were living with an HIV diagnosis. But in New Orleans, that rate was 35.2 people out of 100,000.
• Though a lifelong condition, HIV is treatable, and testing can help to reduce transmissions.

Zoom in: The number of New Orleans teens ages 15-19 with HIV diagnoses increased from 3 to 9 people between 2022 and 2023, the New Orleans Health Department said in the report.

• That "signals an urgent need for targeted interventions to address the rising incidence among adolescents," the report says.
• One solution is already in the works, thanks to a new sexual health education program the health department plans to roll out to New Orleans schools later this year.

By the numbers: The STI report pointed to other alarming trends, including:

• A chlamydia infection rate that exceeds state and national averages.
• A 71% increase in gonorrhea cases for a single New Orleans East ZIP code (70129).
• People of color, young men and pregnant women continue to experience disproportionately high STI rates.

Go deeper: Read the full report.