Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Review
. 2018 Jan;32(1):16-23.
doi: 10.1089/apc.2017.0201.

Optimizing Delivery of HIV Preexposure Prophylaxis for Women in the United States

Erika Aaron  1 , Cori Blum  2 , Dominika Seidman  3 , Mary Jo Hoyt  4 , Joanne Simone  4 , Meg Sullivan  5 , Dawn K Smith  6
Affiliations
Review

Optimizing Delivery of HIV Preexposure Prophylaxis for Women in the United States

Erika Aaron et al. AIDS Patient Care STDS. 2018 Jan.

Abstract

Preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a highly effective HIV prevention method; however, it is underutilized among women who are at risk for acquisition of HIV. Women comprise one in five HIV diagnoses in the United States, and significant racial disparities in new HIV diagnoses persist. The rate of new HIV diagnoses among black and African American women in 2015 was 16 times greater than that of white women. These disparities highlight the importance of HIV prevention strategies for women, including the use of PrEP. PrEP is the first highly effective HIV prevention method available to women that is entirely within their control. However, because so few women who may benefit from PrEP are aware of it, few women's healthcare providers offer PrEP to their patients, PrEP has not yet achieved its potential to reduce HIV infections in women. This article describes individual and systemic barriers for women related to the uptake of PrEP services; explains how providers can identify women at risk for HIV; reviews how to provide PrEP to women; and outlines client-centered models for HIV prevention services. Better access to culturally acceptable and affordable medical and social services may offer support to women for consistent and ongoing use of PrEP. This discussion may be used to inform HIV prevention activities for women and guide interventions to decrease racial/ethnic disparities in rates of HIV infection among US women.

Keywords: HIV prevention for women; HIV risk for women; preexposure prophylaxis; sexual health.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

No competing financial interests exist.

Figures

<b>FIG. 1.</b>
FIG. 1.
A and B: Prescribing PrEP for women. PrEP, preexposure prophylaxis.
<b>FIG. 1.</b>
FIG. 1.
A and B: Prescribing PrEP for women. PrEP, preexposure prophylaxis.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. HIV Surveillance Report, 2015; vol. 27 2016. Available at: www.cdc.gov/hiv/library/reports/hiv-surveillance.html (Last accessed January31, 2017)
    1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. HIV Surveillance in Women, 2015. Available at: www.cdc.gov/hiv/library/slideSets/index.html (Last accessed January31, 2017)
    1. Baral SD, Poteat T, Strömdahl S, et al. . Worldwide burden of HIV in transgender women: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Lancet Infect Dis 2013;13:214–222 - PubMed
    1. Herbst JH, Jacobs ED, Finlayson TJ, et al. . Estimating HIV prevalence and risk behaviors of transgender persons in the United States: A systematic review. AIDS Behav 2008;12:1–17 - PubMed
    1. Grady D. FDA advisory panel backs preventive use of HIV drug. New York Times 2012:D5

Substances