New CDC PrEP data demonstrates importance of federal funding

Racial & Ethnic Disparities in PrEP Uptake Widen

Washington DC… CDC preliminary data released today shows that uptake of PrEP, which are drugs that prevent HIV, significantly increased in one year, but is mostly benefiting Whites, while the communities most impacted by HIV, including Blacks and Latinos, lag far behind.

Overall, the uptake of PrEP among the 1.2 million people who are believed to be eligible for it increased from 30 percent in 2021 to 36 percent in 2022. However, the largest increase occurred among Whites, where uptake climbed from 78 percent of those who are eligible in 2021 to 94 percent in 2022. Among Blacks, uptake stands at only 13 percent of those who are eligible, up from 11 percent in 2021. Uptake among Latinos rose to 24 percent from 21 percent, and uptake among women rose to 15 percent from 12 percent.

“While the data demonstrate progress in PrEP usage, which will translate into fewer new HIV transmissions, the low usage of PrEP among the communities most impacted by HIV points to the need for increased and targeted federal resources,” said Carl Schmid, executive director of the HIV+Hepatitis Policy Institute. “Unfortunately, House Republicans have proposed to cut $220 million from CDC’s HIV prevention program and completely eliminate HRSA’s $157 million PrEP program for community health centers. If these cuts were to be realized, instead of reporting on progress, the nation will be experiencing increased new HIV transmissions, which in the long run will cost us more.”

CDC’s HIV prevention programs are necessary to conduct community and provider awareness of PrEP, HIV testing and linking people to PrEP. HRSA’s PrEP program for community health centers is now supporting 411 sites and nearly 80,000 people on PrEP. Federal programs such as these are critical in order to ensure those who are left behind today can access PrEP in the future.

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The HIV+Hepatitis Policy Institute is a national, non-profit organization whose mission is to promote quality and affordable healthcare for people living with or at risk of HIV, hepatitis, and other serious and chronic health conditions.