The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has released a new Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) on pre-exposure prophylaxis awareness and use among men who have sex with men (MSM). Researchers examined PrEP awareness among MSM from 2014 to 2017 in 20 urban areas. During this time, PrEP awareness increased from 60% to 90%, and PrEP use increased from 6% to 35%. PrEP use increased in almost all demographic subgroups but remained lower among black and Hispanic MSM.
Increasing PrEP use is a principal strategy of the Ending the HIV Epidemic initiative. Findings suggest that by routinely testing patients for HIV, assessing HIV-negative patients for risk behaviors, and prescribing PrEP as needed, health care providers can play a critical role in ending the HIV epidemic.
