Location location location: an exploration of disparities in access to publicly listed pre-exposure prophylaxis clinics in the United States

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Aaron J Siegler, Emory University; Anna Bratcher, Emory University; Kevin M. Weiss, Emory University; Farah Mouhanna, Emory University; Lauren Ahlschlager, Emory University; Patrick S Sullivan, Emory University
• Language: English
• Date: 2018-12-01
• Publisher: Elsevier: 12 months
• Publication Version: Author Accepted Manuscript (After Peer Review)
• Copyright Statement: © 2018 The Authors
• License: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 4.0 International
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.annepidem.2018.05.006
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: Annals of Epidemiology
• ISSN: 1047-2797
• Volume: 28
• Issue: 12
• Start Page: 858
• End Page: 864
• Grant/Funding Information: The study was facilitated by the Emory Center for AIDS Research P30AI050409 and by R01MH114692.; Support for development of the PrEP Locator was provided by the MAC AIDS Fund.
• Keywords: IMPACT; Science & Technology; Pre-exposure prophylaxis; PREP; CONTINUUM; CARE; MEN; Primary prevention; ATLANTA; Public, Environmental & Occupational Health; PROVIDERS; Life Sciences & Biomedicine; SEX; HIV INCIDENCE; HIV; BARRIERS
• Research Categories: Health Sciences, Public Health; Health Sciences, Epidemiology

Abstract

Purpose: HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is highly effective in preventing HIV transmission. Finding a PrEP provider, however, can be a barrier to accessing care. This study explores the distribution of publicly listed PrEP-providing clinics in the United States. Methods: Data regarding 2094 PrEP-providing clinics come from PrEP Locator, a national database of PrEP-providing clinics. We compared the distribution of these PrEP clinics to the distribution of new HIV diagnoses within various geographical areas and by key populations. Results: Most (43/50) states had less than one PrEP-providing clinic per 100,000 population. Among states, the median was two clinics per 1000 PrEP-eligible men who have sex with men. Differences between disease burden and service provision were seen for counties with higher proportions of their residents living in poverty, lacking health insurance, identifying as African American, or identifying as Hispanic/Latino. The Southern region accounted for over half of all new HIV diagnoses but only one-quarter of PrEP-providing clinics. Conclusions: The current number of PrEP-providing clinics is not sufficient to meet needs. In addition, PrEP-providing clinics are unevenly distributed compared to disease burden, with poor coverage in the Southern divisions and areas with higher poverty, uninsured, and larger minority populations. PrEP services should be expanded and targeted to address disparities.