Meet the 'Portraits of PrEP' as 2022 PrEP Aware Week Gets Underway

The last week of October is 2022 PrEP Aware Week, and this year's goal is a general increase in awareness of HIV prevention medications.

The theme this year is “Portraits of PrEP,” featuring eight New Yorkers on PrEP who discuss their experiences. Their videos are available on the campaign’s YouTube Channel and website.

PrEP Aware week started in 2019 from The AIDS Institute in New York. An idea that started locally has caught on across the nation, with multiple cities and organizations using PrEP Aware Week to promote HIV-prevention campaigns and events.

PrEP was first approved in 2012 by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, requiring that it be used daily, even during periods of minimal or low-risk sexual activity. Over the years, studies have explored different dosage strategies (like only using PrEP during high-risk periods) as well as examining the different medications that could be used as PrEP.

The first long-lasting injectable form of PrEP was approved in 2021.

Daily adherence of oral PrEP reduces HIV risk between 96 percent and greater than 99 percent, according to studies. Those taking four doses a week remained fully protected, while those who only took two lowered their chances of getting HIV by 76 percent.

This year, the awareness campaign comes along as the coverage of PrEP under the Affordable Care Act is currently being debated in the courts.

As of now, PrEP is still currently covered under the ACA.