What is HIV Preexposure Prophylaxis (PrEP)?
HIV preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is the process when a person without HIV takes antiretroviral medications to prevent the acquisition of HIV. The goal of HIV PrEP is to prevent new HIV infections.
Need for HIV PrEP
In the United States, there is an immediate need to increase the availability, implementation, and use of HIV PrEP. The following summarizes the rationale for why a major scale-up in HIV PrEP is needed in the United States.
- New HIV Infections Have Not Significantly Decreased: The number of new HIV infections continues to occur at a substantial rate in the United States—estimated at about 32,000 new HIV infections per year.[1]
- HIV PrEP is Effective: When taken as prescribed, HIV PrEP is more than 90% effective for preventing sexual acquisition of HIV and approximately 70% effective in preventing HIV acquisition among people who inject drugs.[2,3,4]
- HIV PrEP is Underutilized: Overall, only about one in three persons who would benefit from HIV PrEP are receiving HIV PrEP.[5]
- HIV PrEP is Usually Covered: Most insurance plans and state Medicaid programs cover HIV PrEP, including laboratory and medication costs. In addition, some options may exist for persons who do not have medical insurance and are not receiving Medicaid.[6]
HIV PrEP Fundamentals Training Module
This HIV National PrEP Curriculum HIV PrEP Fundamentals training module is designed for health care professionals who are interested in any aspect of providing HIV PrEP. In the United States, a larger number of trained clinicians are needed to meet the growing demand for HIV PrEP. Multiple studies have shown that increasing medical provider awareness and knowledge about HIV PrEP is associated with an increased likelihood of prescribing HIV PrEP. More clinicians are needed with an interest and skill to provide HIV PrEP. Health care professionals who complete the HIV PrEP Fundamentals module training and receive a passing score on the 20-question, open-book, open-website, final assessment will receive a National HIV PrEP Curriculum: HIV PrEP Training Certificate. The major goal of this HIV PrEP Fundamentals module is to provide health professionals with the basic knowledge, skills, and core competencies to achieve the following:
- Identify persons who are candidates for and may benefit from HIV PrEP
- Perform a baseline evaluation prior to starting HIV PrEP
- Choose an appropriate HIV PrEP regimen for the HIV PrEP candidate
- Effectively monitor someone who is receiving HIV PrEP