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Gaps in HIV PrEP by Race and Ethnicity

MMWR; 2018 Oct 19; Huang, Zhu, et al

Gaps and barriers between numbers of persons with HIV preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) indications and those prescribed PrEP are substantial in the US, especially among persons in female, black, and Hispanic populations. This according to a new CDC report that analyzed 2014‒2016 data to estimate the number of persons prescribed PrEP (users) in the US and to describe their demographic characteristics, including race/ethnicity. Researchers found:

  • In 2016, among 78,360 persons who filled prescriptions for PrEP in the US, women accounted for only 4.7%.
  • Among PrEP users with available data, 68.7%, 11.2%, 13.1%, and 4.5% were white, black, Hispanic, and Asian, respectively.
  • ~7% of the estimated 1.1 million persons who had indications for PrEP were prescribed PrEP in 2016.
  • Focused efforts are needed to increase the impact of PrEP in the US.

Citation:

Huang YA, Zhu W, Smith DK, Harris N, Hoover KW. HIV preexposure prophylaxis, by race and ethnicity—United States, 2014–2016. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2018;67:1147–1150. doi:10.15585/mmwr.mm6741a3.