AIDS In Wisconsin 2006:
Five Questions For AIDS Network’s Bob Power
Interview by Mike Fitzpatrick

Madison - Between now and the end of September, Wisconsin’s two AIDS service agencies will hold major walk fundraisers. Saturday, September 16 will mark the 4th Annual AIDS Walk, Roll & Stroll here. Billed as “Madison’s Only AIDS Walk,” the AIDS Network-sponsored 7K event will step off from Brittingham Park at 10 AM with a a route that follows along Lake Monona bay, then circles back through the downtown Madison area. This year’s goal is to have 500 walkers and teams raise $40,000.
  There is still time to get involved in this year’s event. Call Angela Dupont, Events Manager for AIDS Network by email at: adupont@aidsnetwork.org or by phone at: 608-252-6540, Ext.30.  For more information online visit: www.walkrollandstroll.org.
  Quest had the opportunity to ask AIDS Network’s Bob Power five quick questions about the State of AIDS In Wisconsin in 2006.

Quest: How would you assess Wisconsin’s current overall status In the battle against HIV/AIDS?

Power: My gut response is we’re holding our own.  On the positive side of things, the 374 new HIV infections in Wisconsin in 2005 marked a slight decrease from the 417 new infections in 2004.  As the State of Wisconsin AIDS/HIV Surveillance reports tell us, the new infection rate has been remaining steady since 1998.  What’s troubling to us at AIDS Network, is the continued decrease in prevention funding.  If we really want to reverse the trend and see new infections decrease, we must do more to invest our money, time and effort into realistic, practical HIV prevention work. 
  On the care and support side of things, we again can see the glass both half full and half empty.  Wisconsin continues to be committed to providing access to quality medical care and access to supportive services for those living with HIV/AIDS. Especially notable is the continued strength of Wisconsin’s AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP), as well as the availability of Ryan White Title III funds to provide access to medical care for low-income, uninsured HIV+ people. Unfortunately, the realignment of priorities at the federal level for the Ryan White Care Act puts some of AIDS Network’s consumers in a real bind.  While we understand the need to focus on a client’s medical needs, mental health issues and medication adherence, there is a practical side of things.  How can our consumers keep medical appointments if they don’t have reliable transportation to get them there?  How can our consumers achieve a successful medication adherence plan if they don’t have access to adequate nutrition? Once again, it seems to us that when the bureaucrats inside the Beltway start playing with funding, they lose sight of the practical situation consumers face on a day-to-day basis. 

Quest: What has been the greatest success in battle against AIDS in the last year?

Power: As mentioned earlier, it definitely was a good thing to see the new infection rates decline somewhat.  After 2004’s stark increase, we were relieved to see that didn’t play out in 2005.  The additional money added to the Life Care and Early Intervention Services approved by Governor Doyle was also a boost for people living with HIV/AIDS.
  For us at AIDS Network, one of our most promising new programs in development is a peer educator program designed to match an individual who has been newly diagnosed with HIV to a person who has some experience living with HIV/AIDS, including experience taking antiretroviral medications.  This program is still in its early stages but promises to reduce isolation and provide education and mentorship for those just learning to manage HIV infection.  Developing personalized tools and strategies to live well with HIV/AIDS is key to good medical outcomes for the HIV+ individual.

Quest: What remains the biggest challenge in battling HIV in Wisconsin?

Power: One challenge is the waning interest in HIV/AIDS, which in turn, negatively impacts the fundraising efforts.   For several years, it seems the complacency about HIV/AIDS has only continued to increase.  When the community doesn’t see the issue as an urgent one, the ability to raise sufficient funds becomes that much harder.  Time and time again I hear things like, “AIDS fund raising?  Been there. Done that.” While it’s understandable there is a certain amount of burnout from our donors, it is imperative for those of us in the HIV/AIDS field to continually remind the citizens of Wisconsin that there is an urgent need.  People are still getting infected, people are still dying. 
  Another challenge is trying to split the small amount of prevention money available to address the needs of multiple at-risk populations.  The Wisconsin AIDS/HIV Programs review of the HIV epidemic through 2005 clearly states that men who have sex with other men continued to be the population most heavily impacted by HIV in Wisconsin.  Yet, other at risk populations such as, young men who have sex with men, African Americans, and women of color still have disproportionately high rates of HIV infection compared to their white male counterparts.  How can we adequately address the needs of all these populations when prevention funding is woefully inadequate?
  Finally, as we all know, Wisconsin is largely a rural state.  This is certainly true our service area.  It is often difficult for HIV+ individuals who live far from medical care or supportive services to get the help they need.  Social isolation also remains a significant factor.

Quest: What do you think Wisconsin does better than others in fighting HIV/AIDS?

Power: Networking - Because Wisconsin’s overall prevalence rate is low, providers have had to collaborate with many agencies that serve the general public in order to address the support needs of persons living with HIV/AIDS.  When HIV+ people are served by medical clinics, mental health providers, food pantries, shelters, and other agencies that also serve other populations, the wider community is integrated to serve the needs of those living with HIV/AIDS.
  I also think that for the most part, we’re a very client-focused group of providers.  At AIDS Network, we take pride in being a consumer-centered agency and we do all we can to meet the needs of those who have come to us for help.  

Quest: What do you think is the most important reason why people should participate in AIDS Network’s “Walk, Roll & Stroll” this weekend?

Power: As I stated earlier, it is imperative for us to continue doing our walks, rides and dinners, if for nothing else, to keep the HIV/AIDS topic in the public’s eye.  By participating in Madison’s only AIDS walk, you’ll be doing that and hopefully raising a bucketload of money to help those living with HIV today and to help prevent it from happening to others.

Quest has put the same five questions to ARCW’s Doug Nelson (changing the name of the event in the final query to AIDS Walk Wisconsin). We hope to share his insights with our readers in our next issue.