PrEP Now Chicago
Empower Yourself with PrEP: HIV Prevention for Black Women in Chicago
Learn about PrEP, an HIV prevention tool, and how you can help other women
FAQs about PrEP, answered by Black women
- Dr. Erica Taylor, MD MPH OB/GYN at Onyx Medical Wellness: PrEP is crucial for Black women because they are disproportionately affected by HIV. Despite comprising a smaller percentage of the population, Black women have higher rates of new HIV infections compared to women of other racial and ethnic groups. PrEP provides an effective prevention strategy, reducing the risk of HIV transmission by up to 99% when taken consistently. This preventive measure empowers Black women to take control of their sexual health and reduce their vulnerability to HIV, addressing a significant public health disparity. PrEP is more than PREVENTION; it's EMPOWERMENT for Black women who are DISPROPORTIONATELY impacted by HIV.
- Teffany Anderson, Public Health Administrator III, Community Health Services Division of the Syndemic Infectious Disease Bureau of the Chicago Department of Public Health: Because it gives us the opportunity to make our own decisions about our sexual health. Women don’t always have all of the power that they should in sexual relationships. We don’t even need to have the conversation about being on PrEP if we don’t want to.
- Dr. Maya Green, MD MPH, Founder and Chief Health and Equity Officer at Onyx Medical Wellness: PrEP is crucial for Black women because they are disproportionately affected by HIV. The HIV incidence rate among Black women is 11 times the rate of white women and 4 times the rate of Latinas. Additionally, 91% of Black women diagnosed with HIV were infected through heterosexual contact. This disparity is driven by various factors, including social and economic inequalities, stigma, and limited access to healthcare resources. PrEP provides an effective preventive measure to reduce the risk of HIV transmission. For Black women, who might face barriers to accessing healthcare or have higher rates of HIV compared to other groups, PrEP can be a powerful tool in combating the epidemic and promoting better health outcomes.
- Dr. Erica Taylor: PrEP was initially promoted and studied predominantly among men who have sex with men and other high-risk groups, leading to a lack of awareness and emphasis on its benefits for women. This focus was due in part to the higher rates of HIV transmission observed in these populations and the urgency to address those rates. Additionally, there were misconceptions about women’s risk levels and a slower recognition of the specific barriers women face in accessing HIV prevention tools. Over time, as more data has shown the effectiveness of PrEP for women and advocacy efforts have highlighted these gaps, the conversation around PrEP has broadened to include women, including Black women, who are at significant risk.
The silence around PrEP for women reveals a broader systemic issue of underestimating women’s health risks, and the complexities of access to care. Historically, women’s health has been overlooked and underfunded, leading to a significant gap in health care disparities and education. Public health research overlooks the needs of women and funds are vastly directed to male-centric solutions. - Teffany Anderson: When they were testing PrEP, they weren’t thinking about women in the same way as they were thinking about men because of the way HIV is transmitted. Also, just they don’t study women as much as they study men. We just weren’t considered.
- Dr. Maya Green: Historically, PrEP has been less emphasized for women for several reasons:
- Focus: Initial research on PrEP primarily focused on men who have sex with men because they were identified as having a higher risk of HIV. This led to a focus on PrEP use among MSM, and the benefits for women, particularly Black women, were not as prominently highlighted.
- Healthcare Disparities: Women, especially those from marginalized communities, have often faced systemic barriers to accessing healthcare and preventive services. This includes a lack of awareness about PrEP, which has historically been less promoted or discussed in contexts where women are the primary audience.
- Stigma and Gender Bias: There has been a tendency to overlook the needs of women in sexual health research and prevention strategies. Gender biases in research and healthcare can lead to unequal attention and resource allocation, affecting how prevention methods like PrEP are promoted.
- Dr. Erica Taylor: Women considering PrEP should view it as a part of a larger conversation on sexual health, one that encompasses safer sex practices, regular testing, and a proactive approach to their overall well-being.
- Dr. Maya Green: Before starting PrEP, women should be aware of the following:
- Effectiveness: PrEP is highly effective in preventing HIV when taken consistently as prescribed. Oral and injectable PrEP reduces the risk of getting HIV from sex by about 99% when taken as directed. Scientists are looking into the benefits of the injectable form of PrEP for people who experience IV drug use, but we know that oral PrEP pills reduce the risk of getting HIV in this group by at least 74% when taken as prescribed.
- Adherence: PrEP is less effective when not taken as prescribed. Consistency is key to its effectiveness.
- Initial and Ongoing Testing: To start PrEP, you must first take an HIV test to ensure you don’t have HIV. While on PrEP, you’ll need routine follow-up visits, HIV tests, and prescription refills or shots. Ask your healthcare provider about mail-in HIV tests and telehealth services for follow-up visits.
- Potential Side Effects: While PrEP is generally well-tolerated, some women may experience side effects such as gastrointestinal issues or changes in kidney function. Discuss these potential side effects with your healthcare provider.
- Contraceptive Methods: PrEP does not protect against pregnancy, so women should discuss their contraceptive needs with their healthcare provider and use additional forms of contraception if needed.
- Risk Reduction: PrEP is most effective when used in combination with other prevention strategies, such as consistent condom use and regular testing for other sexually transmitted infections.
- Teffany Anderson: Listen to what Dr Erica and Dr Maya said.
- Dr. Maya Green: PrEP for HIV prevention just got a whole lot more accessible thanks to the Affordable Care Act! Most insurance plans, including Medicaid, now cover PrEP meds and the doctor visits, lab tests, and HIV screenings that go with it—completely free of charge. Even better, if you're on Medicare, you can get your PrEP prescription at no cost too. No more financial hurdles standing between you and staying protected. This is a huge step in making sure everyone has the tools they need to stay HIV-free and empowered.
- Teffany Anderson: “While you are a doctor and a medical expert, I am the expert on me. So, unless there is a medical reason for me to not be on PrEP, the decision to start on PrEP is mine and should be based on my needs. I am making an informed decision, based on MY needs."
