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Written by Louis Weisberg, Staff writer
Jun 17, 2010
Responding to an increase in the rate of HIV transmission among young African-American gay and bisexual men in Milwaukee, city health commissioner Bevan K. Baker has created a partnership between the city and the organization Diverse and Resilient to address the root causes of the problem.
In Milwaukee, new HIV infections among young black men who have sex with men tripled between 2001 and 2008, compared with a 143-percent increase among young non-black males.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention came to Milwaukee late last year to investigate the situation. CDC researchers found the prevalence rate of HIV among young African-American gay and bisexual men to be between 28 and 41 percent.
D&R executive director Gary Hollander said that despite the alarming statistics, there is cause for hope.
“Since these data were informally released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in March of this year, many individuals and agencies have stepped up to be part of the solution. Concerted efforts, deeper partnerships and candid discussions will help turn this around. Our immediate need is to have a plan of action that the community can get behind.”
D&R will receive a city grant to mobilize grassroots organizations in the African-American community to discourage high-risk sexual behavior and encourage the disclosure of HIV status between sexual partners. The amount of the grant was not disclosed.
“Diverse and Resilient uses evidence-based approaches and has a proven track record in community education and outreach,” Baker said in a statement. “They will be able to move quickly toward mobilizing the community for action. This is not just a City of Milwaukee Health Department issue. We need community support and awareness because addressing this issue will require everyone to stand firm.”
