Live Webcast to Address Need for PrEP Initiation in Marginalized Populations

MANHATTAN, N.Y. - May 18, 2022 - PRLog -- DKBmed, LLC, has developed a new, live webcast for clinicians working in primary care, convenient care (e.g., Minute Clinic), and urgent care settings. People for PrEP: Identifying Barriers to HIV Prevention will feature expert presentations from faculty and real patients about preventing HIV infection through the appropriate use of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for people at risk of acquiring HIV.

PrEP is medication that is highly effective at preventing acquisition of HIV from sexual contact or intravenous drug use. PrEP is available as either daily oral pills or bimonthly injections. Although PrEP is highly effective, data suggests that fewer than 20% of individuals indicated for treatment actively receive care. Deficits in awareness appear particularly pronounced among people from racial/ethnic minority groups, the economically disadvantaged, and other marginalized populations. Correcting these longstanding disparities in health care access requires targeted, innovative initiatives that effectively engages a broader population of clinicians serving communities hit hardest by HIV.

"Even without the significant interference by the pandemic, achieving the goals of the Ending the Epidemic initiative will require many more clinicians to become engaged in HIV testing, prevention, and treatment," notes Quintin Robinson, MD. "As the COVID-19 pandemic wanes, we will need new programs that engage the growing workforce in the urgent care and convenient care settings. By better meeting patients where they are, I believe that the ambitious goals outlined in 2019 can be achieved."

People for PrEP (https://dkbmed.com/programs/176/overview) will cover topics most pertinent to care providers working with patients at risk for HIV:

• Addressing barriers – such as stigma in marginalized populations - that contribute to inequities in HIV prevention and treatment
• Screening youth and young adults for HIV and educating them about HIV transmission and prevention
• Addressing the mental health needs of the LGBTQ community

After the introductory presentation, participating clinicians will be divided into smaller groups to discuss challenges specific to their practice setting (e.g., primary care, convenient care, urgent care). A subject-matter expert will guide these discussions. Also, included in these breakout sections will be patients (young adults, transgender individuals, African Americans) who are using PrEP. They will be able to offer insights from their unique and meaningful perspective. For clinicians unable to participate live, archived webcasts of all activities will be made available on the DKBmed learning platform.