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How Is Wisconsin Faring In The Fight Against AIDS?

Erin Toner

There is not much that politicians in Wisconsin have agreed on in the past few years – few issues enjoy bipartisan support. But a key exception has been the fight against AIDS.

Thanks to the sometimes understated political will of people on both sides of the aisle, Wisconsin has – by many measures – become one of the most successful states in helping people manage the chronic disease.

Much of that success is due to the innovative work of the Milwaukee-based AIDS Resource Center of Wisconsin. The center employs what is known as the “medical home” model to reach and support AIDS patients in the community.

Mike Gifford is the President and CEO of ARCW. He joined Mitch Teich in August at the University Club of Milwaukee and explained the storyline of AIDS in Wisconsin in 2014.

"Wisconsin has distinguished itself in the fight against AIDS across America," Gifford says. "We have the lowest AIDS death rate in the country, which really means that people living with HIV in Wisconsin live longer than anywhere else in the country."

Audrey is a WUWM host and producer for Lake Effect.