If you had to choose a word to describe the branch of the AIDS Resource Center of Wisconsin in La Crosse, "discreet" or some synonym of it would most likely be it. No bells, no whistles, no imposing signs; the location on South Avenue is fairly inconspicuous to the naked eye, which is no accident according to Bill Keeton, the director of communications for the AIDS Resource Center of Wisconsin.
“The addresses of ARCW offices across Wisconsin are listed in phone books as well as on the Internet so we are not trying to hide our locations,” Keeton explained. “However, given the stigma that is still widely associated with HIV disease and felt by HIV patients, we work hard to ensure our patients and clients feel comfortable by respecting their confidentiality when they come to us to access services.”
According to a survey conducted by the Kaiser Family Foundation, while beliefs and attitudes about AIDS/HIV have increased in a more positive direction as the American public received more information, the perception of AIDS/HIV being an urgent epidemic in the United States has decreased.
In the Kaiser Family Foundation survey released this year, in 1995, 44 percent of Americans listed HIV/AIDS as the most urgent health problem facing the nation; this year, that percent had shrunk to a mere 6 percent, ranking behind things like cancer, heart disease and diabetes.
“I don't think there is any one cause of the general public's perceived apathy towards AIDS,” Keeton said. “During the '80s and '90s, HIV and AIDS were receiving a lot of attention because they were new, not much was known about this new disease except that people who contracted it were dying in large numbers.”
In Keeton’s opinion, as knowledge and awareness increased along with people’s longevity while being affected, the perception shifted from HIV/AIDS being a deadly killer to a manageable chronic disease, which Keeton believes is an oversimplification.
“HIV disease is an incredibly complex, difficult and expensive disease to treat and one for which there is still no cure,” he said. “It makes significant emotional, social, economic and physical impacts that make disease management extremely difficult.”
When it comes to HIV/AIDS, data from the CDC is showing generational and racial gaps, both nationally as well as in Wisconsin.
HIV/AIDS is still most heavily affecting men who have sex with men. In 2008, 74 percent of HIV cases in Wisconsin were among men who had sex with other men. During the 1990s, there was a decline in these cases but in recent years the rate has begun to climb again. Between 2000 and 2008, the number of cases reported among men who had sex with men increased 36 percent.
But that number doesn’t show the full picture when one looks further and sees the divide between younger and older. In the same time period of 2000 to 2008, the increase of HIV among men who had sex with men and were over the age of 30 was 6 percent; the estimated number of cases for men who had sex with men and were under the age of 30 showed a staggering increase of 143 percent.
Also, minorities continue to be infected at alarming rates. In Wisconsin, race/ethnic minorities made up just 12 percent of the population but 55 percent of all HIV cases reported in 2008.
In Keeton’s view, just as HIV care and treatment has evolved so must the way the message is delivered about prevention: flyers of old now married with the Facebook pages of today.
“The messages that resonated with people 15 years ago about HIV/AIDS are not going to necessarily be as effective today, especially if the messages are shared through the same media,” he said. “This is one of the reasons why ARCW has been using social networking media, the Internet and other venues and media for sharing HIV prevention messages.”
The ARCW has locations all around the state and provides a plethora of services, such as direct medical, dental and mental health care as well as social work case management, food pantries, legal representation and housing services through funding from local government units across Wisconsin, the state of Wisconsin through the Department of Health Services, and the federal government through the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
“We also aggressively pursue private philanthropy from individuals, corporations, foundations and through special events,” Keeton noted. “Also, as a health care provider we receive reimbursement for services for individuals who have insurance coverage.”
Keeton stressed, as the old saying goes, that knowledge is power.
“People who know their HIV status can take steps to further protect themselves from becoming HIV-positive or, if they learn they are positive, they can begin to access care and treatment services to keep or regain their health,” Keeton said.
To set up an appointment to get tested at the La Crosse ARCW location, call (608) 785-9866. For more information about ARCW services, visit www.arcw.org.
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