Changing the PrEP Narrative: A Call to Action to Increase PrEP Uptake among Women

Alina Cernasev,Jay Golden,Drew Armstrong,Crystal Walker

doi:10.3390/women1020011

Abstract

Although the incidence of new cases of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has decreased in the past decade, in 2018 more than 7000 women with HIV were diagnosed in the United States (US). Globally, per recent reports, 48% of the new HIV infections were among women. There is still no vaccine to prevent HIV transmission. However, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) was approved in 2012 by the Food and Drug Administration, providing a powerful tool to block HIV infection and help prevent the subsequent development of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). The uptake of PrEP has been slow globally and among the most vulnerable populations in the US, even though the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommended its use in high-risk populations, including women. Furthermore, women represent one-quarter of people living with HIV in the US; however, PrEP is underutilized in this group. Thus, it is imperative to make women’s voices heard through conducting more research, ensuring sufficient access to PrEP, and enhancing knowledge about PrEP as a viable prevention strategy for women. This article aims to promote women’s health by changing the narrative, providing key information on empowering women, and increasing the usage of PrEP.

Highlights

In the early 1980s, the landscape of infectious diseases changed dramatically and forever upon the identification of a mysterious disease later termed human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
This review provides an overview of the current landscape of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) use among women, promotes women’s health by changing the narrative, and offers recommendations to increase the usage of PrEP in this understudied population
Pre-exposure prophylaxis, when taken appropriately, is an effective and well-tolerated option to assist in prevention of HIV transmission

Summary

Introduction

In the early 1980s, the landscape of infectious diseases changed dramatically and forever upon the identification of a mysterious disease later termed human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The HIV virus is the pathogen that causes the disease “acquired immunodeficiency syndrome” [1,2]. Scientists worldwide were intrigued and challenged by a new disease with features that did not appear to resemble characteristics of any known pathogens. There is still no vaccine to prevent HIV transmission. There is a medication that can be taken to help reduce the risk of HIV infection and is known as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). Pre-exposure prophylaxis entails taking an antiretroviral medication (emtrictabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate or emtrictabine/tenofovir alafenamide) every day to help reduce the risk of contracting

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