USE of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), an HIV-1 prevention strategy, across diverse demographic groups is not consistent, despite importance of the tool. A new study that identified priority populations and described prescription initiation needs for PrEP was presented at IDWeek 2024 in Los Angeles, California.
The study analyzed PrEP prescriptions and new HIV-1 diagnoses data from the IQVIA claims database from 2019 to 2023 and identified key demographic groups with varying levels of PrEP use. The research focused on five factors associated with PrEP uptake, including sex, insurance type, HIV-1 risk factors, race/ethnicity composition of neighborhoods, and geographic regions involved in the ‘Ending the HIV Epidemic’ initiative.
Males with identified HIV-1 risk factors, living in predominantly White neighborhoods with commercial insurance, represented the majority of newly initiated PrEP users in both 2019 (53%) and 2023 (43%). This group showed a marginal increase in PrEP initiation, with an annual percent change (APC) of 2% and had the lowest unmet needs. Other males with HIV-1 risk factors, commercially insured residing in Black/Hispanic neighborhoods or those on Medicaid across all neighborhoods, had a moderate increase in PrEP initiation (APC 11%) and higher unmet needs. Females and males without recorded HIV-1 risk factors showed the highest PrEP initiation increase (APC: 30%, and 19%, respectively). They retained the most substantial unmet needs from 2019 to 2023.
Individuals without known HIV-1 risk factors and with a high rate of new PrEP initiation may be experiencing an ongoing unmet need for PrEP. Study authors conclude that people on Medicaid or who live in Black/Hispanic communities would benefit from increased PrEP uptake to address disparities in HIV prevention.
Reference: Tao L et al. Trajectories of Newly Initiated Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) Use among Priority Populations with Unmet Needs for PrEP in the USA. Abstract 507. IDWeek 2024, October 16-19, 2024.
Anaya Malik | AMJ
