Excerpt from The Washington Informer:

“Whitman-Walker Health, a leader in LGBTQ health care and HIV treatment in Washington, D.C., used PrEP Awareness Day on July 16 to highlight an underutilized tool in HIV prevention that has proven 99% effective when taken as prescribed.

Pre-exposure Prophylaxis, or PrEP, is a medication regimen designed for anyone who may be sexually active or exposed to HIV through sex or injection drug use, including both adults and adolescents.

Since receiving FDA approval on July 16, 2012, the treatment has provided what health officials call a crucial layer of protection against HIV transmission. The medication is available as a daily pill or as an injection administered by a health care provider every two months or twice yearly.

“Whitman-Walker Health has led D.C.’s efforts in implementing PrEP as an effective prevention strategy,” said Juan Carlos Loubriel, senior director of community health and wellness at Whitman-Walker Health. “PrEP Awareness Day is our call to action to provide access to and education on this effective medication to prevent HIV in our communities, particularly vulnerable communities.”

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