WITI-TV, MILWAUKEE -
Activists are spreading the message of safe behavior, but the disease itself is spreading in certain segments of our community. Community leaders and health officials are warning that the disease is spreading in the African American community.
Rhythm rumbles through this church, but here is a serious message simmering beneath the beats. AIDS is taking a toll on Milwaukee's black population and minister Maurice Jenkins is sounding the alarm.
Jenkins says, "I have AIDS...This is a disease that affects the body mentally and spiritually." It's been two decades since the day of his diagnosis.The day marking the beginning of his life, also marked the beginning of a battle.
He now runs the AIDS Ministry at St. Gabriels on Milwaukee's north side, and his key message is that no one with the disease is alone.
According to the AIDS Resource Council in Milwaukee there are 7,000 HIV/AIDS cases in Wisconsin, but there are some troubling trends inside those numbers. AIDS Resource Council Rep Bill Keeton says, "We're seeing increases in the number of African-Americans infected and seeing increases in the number of women and also Hispanic, Latinos being infected."
Infant statistics from the Center for Urban Population Health show that minorities make up about 12% of the population, but a startling 50% AIDS/HIV cases in Southeastern Wisconsin. Blacks are ten times more likely to have the disease than whites.
Health officials of course warn people to avoid IV drug use and unprotected sex. They say the most important thing that high risk people can do is to get tested frequently, you can't fight it unless you know you have it.
Rhythm rumbles through this church, but here is a serious message simmering beneath the beats. AIDS is taking a toll on Milwaukee's black population and minister Maurice Jenkins is sounding the alarm.
Jenkins says, "I have AIDS...This is a disease that affects the body mentally and spiritually." It's been two decades since the day of his diagnosis.The day marking the beginning of his life, also marked the beginning of a battle.
He now runs the AIDS Ministry at St. Gabriels on Milwaukee's north side, and his key message is that no one with the disease is alone.
According to the AIDS Resource Council in Milwaukee there are 7,000 HIV/AIDS cases in Wisconsin, but there are some troubling trends inside those numbers. AIDS Resource Council Rep Bill Keeton says, "We're seeing increases in the number of African-Americans infected and seeing increases in the number of women and also Hispanic, Latinos being infected."
Infant statistics from the Center for Urban Population Health show that minorities make up about 12% of the population, but a startling 50% AIDS/HIV cases in Southeastern Wisconsin. Blacks are ten times more likely to have the disease than whites.
Health officials of course warn people to avoid IV drug use and unprotected sex. They say the most important thing that high risk people can do is to get tested frequently, you can't fight it unless you know you have it.
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