PrEP Use in Gay and Bisexual Men in Atlanta

Georgia was named one of the states with the highest rates of HIV diagnosis in 2020, and Atlanta is one of the cities perpetuating this continuing epidemic. In fact, 1 in every 51 Atlanta residents is at risk of a diagnosis. The risk is even higher for Black and Hispanic men, who are diagnosed at a disproportionate rate. To counteract the epidemic of HIV in Atlanta, we need to increase access to healthcare and educate citizens. In doing so, we can raise awareness about Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), a drug that offers a promising opportunity to lower the HIV infection rate.
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PrEP Benefits

PrEP is an FDA-approved drug that has the power to prevent HIV. People who do not have HIV should practice prevention when having sexual relations. Sexually active individuals using both condoms and a form of PrEP will experience increased protection. There are three PrEP medications available:

• Truvada and Descovy are pills taken once daily for as long as a person is at risk of getting HIV.
• Apretude is the only FDA-approved PrEP shot, and it must be administered by a healthcare professional six times per year.

People that commit to using PrEP consistently can reduce the risk of getting HIV by up to 99%. That's because PrEP creates antibodies to the virus, so if a person comes in contact with HIV, PrEP blocks the enzyme it needs to replicate.
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Educating Citizens

To help more people access PrEP, we must proactively educate those around us. Outreach is an essential component of education because it reaches people where they live instead of expecting people to seek out the answers on their own. Nonprofits can collaborate with city leaders to conduct awareness campaigns.

Through outreach and education, we can also take proactive steps to help people with HIV prevent transmission. We should educate the community on the symptoms of HIV so an infected individual seeks medical care before further transmission. To remove barriers that may hinder people from getting tested, SisterLove offers confidential and free HIV tests.

As our focus grows on creating PrEP access, we need to ensure we're tracking progress. This is the only way to identify gaps in outreach. As a city plagued by this epidemic, we urge Atlanta leaders to be advocates and supporters in this outreach and tracking. Opportunity exists to develop nonprofit partnerships to help track adherence and HIV incidence rates. This information is power.
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Increasing Access to Healthcare

A doctor must prescribe PrEP, so we must increase access to physicians for underserved populations. Local community health centers are an excellent resource for uninsured or underinsured people. Nonprofits also exist to help individuals research insurance eligibility or sliding fees associated with health insurance or medical care.

Additionally, we cannot let financial barriers be why individuals cannot access PrEP. Because Atlanta's infection rates are so high, we need to be the leaders in creating initiatives to offer financial assistance, advocate for better insurance coverage, and develop partnerships with pharmacies for subsidized pricing.

Individuals interested in PrEP can look into financial implications by calling their insurance or doing online research. The CDC publishes information to help individuals consider the best options for accessing PrEP economically. Some people can even qualify for PrEP at no cost.
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PrEP to Redefine the Future

The CDC prioritizes PrEP as a prevention tool that can change the course of the HIV epidemic. Through the Ending the HIV Epidemic in the U.S. (EHE) Initiative and the National HIV/AIDS Strategy (NHAS), initiatives are being implemented to increase PrEP coverage to 50 percent by 2025.

On the 11th anniversary of PrEP's FDA approval, HIV.gov shared in a release:

"EHE and NHAS call for proactive strategies that include the provision of PrEP within primary care settings, pharmacies, and syringe services programs (SSPs)."

They are focused on innovative strategies such as TelePreEp, same-day PrEP delivery, long-acting injectable PrEP, and pharmacy-based access to PrEP to help increase access for populations most affected. These bold initiatives can be replicated in cities with high infection rates, such as Atlanta. Eradicating an epidemic requires both national and local focus.
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Building Community

It's essential to build a community to support those fighting invisible battles. Atlanta's underserved populations are encountering HIV, Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC), and social injustices at an alarming rate. Together, we can fight for cures, seek justice, and support these groups.

There are HIV and breast cancer resources available in Atlanta. SisterLove aims to connect people to these resources so we can raise awareness and eradicate illness in our community and beyond. It is time that we work together to make a difference.

HIV can become a thing of the past thanks to advances in modern medicine. PrEP is the solution. Now, it's our collective responsibility to increase awareness and access.