Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP)

Gay, bisexual and transgendered individuals (GBT) have much higher rates of HIV infection in the United States than their heterosexual counterparts [1-5]. While accounting for
only 2% of the US population, MSM (including bisexual and MSM/bisexual injection drug users) make up 58.32% of persons with HIV in the country and there continues to be a trend toward increase in this population and a trend toward decrease in the heterosexual population [6]. There is much less data on transgender individuals’ HIV disparities, however two studies found elevated rates among the trans-female population (assigned male at birth but whose gender identity is that of a woman) [4,5]. While behavioral prevention intervention has been effective, more is needed to prevent HIV infection among these populations. Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is considered an effective biomedical approach for HIV prevention and when used consistently, significantly decreases HIV infection rates.