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<p>As a gay man navigating the complex landscape of health care, I never expected to encounter judgment, stigma, and discrimination in my pursuit of preventative measures against HIV. In a world that’s constantly evolving, it’s disheartening to see how outdated attitudes still hinder access to essential services like pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). My personal experience may shed light on the urgent need for an update on PrEP for HIV prevention.</p>
<h3>The human cost of judgment and stigma.</h3>
<p>Like many in the LGBTQIA+ community, I faced the harsh reality of being told not to have sex, to pursue monogamy and marriage as the only path to a healthy life. These societal expectations, fueled by ignorance and prejudice, led me to suppress my desires, inadvertently putting my health at risk. Denial of access to prevention services like PrEP left me feeling isolated, vulnerable, and frustrated.</p>
<p>My wake-up call came through a close friend who, unfortunately, lived out the consequences of societal judgment. Despite being vulnerable and at risk, he was denied access to PrEP because of the same archaic beliefs that I had encountered. The result was a diagnosis of HIV that forever altered his life and left me grappling with the reality that I could have easily been in his shoes.</p>
<h3>Denial of lifesaving prevention.</h3>
<p>This narrative isn’t unique. As a student and now as a health care provider, I’ve witnessed a recurring theme: patients being denied PrEP for the exact same reasons, years after my own struggles. It’s disheartening to see that, despite medical advances, changing times, and a shifting health care landscape, we continue to perpetuate harmful ideologies that compromise our health.</p>
<p>In the face of this ongoing epidemic, it’s crucial that we educate ourselves and actively work to dismantle the systems that perpetuate stigma and discrimination. As part of the health care community, we share a collective responsibility to advocate for health equity and remove barriers that prevent individuals from living healthier lives.</p>
<p>PrEP represents a powerful tool in the fight against HIV, and it’s essential that we emphasize equity in prevention for all. This means addressing health disparities, opposing stigma and discrimination, and ultimately working towards ending the HIV epidemic. To guide our efforts, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides invaluable resources (CDC PrEP Resources) on HIV and PrEP that serve as beacons of knowledge and support.</p>
<p>I implore my fellow health care providers, particularly nurses, to take a proactive role in ending the HIV epidemic. Advocate for your patients, challenge outdated beliefs, and ensure that everyone, regardless of their background or identity, has access to the preventive care they deserve. My recent article in the <em>American Journal of Nursing</em>, “Preexposure Prophylaxis for HIV Prevention in the United States: An Overview and Update,” provides an update on PrEP screening recommendations, the types of PrEP available, dosing, adverse effects, and the role of nurses in patient support and monitoring.<span></span></p>
<h3>A call to action.</h3>
<p>My journey with PrEP has taught me that we must break free from the chains of judgment. By educating ourselves and actively participating in the fight against the HIV epidemic, we can pave the way for a healthier, more inclusive future for all. Read about the goals and plan of the initiative to end the HIV epidemic here: Ending the HIV Epidemic in the United States.</p>
<p>Nurses have a crucial role to play in this effort. Share resources, challenge stigma, and advocate for equitable access to PrEP. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of those affected by HIV and those who are vulnerable to HIV. #EndHIVEpidemic #HealthEquityNow</p>
<p><em>Amit “Mickey” Dhir, MBA, MSN, AGPCNP-C, AAHIVS, is a PhD student at the Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing in Baltimore, MD, and an infectious disease NP at Chase Brexton Health Care, also in Baltimore.</em></p>
<p>The post PrEP, HIV, and Continuing Barriers to Access appeared first on Off the Charts.</p>
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December 18, 2023
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