Current perspectives on the impact of pre-exposure prophylaxis stigma regarding men who have sex with men in the United States

Abstract

Pre-exposure prophylaxis or PrEP is a Food and Drug Administration approved human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevention tool that reduces the risk of infection by greater than 90%. While it does not provide protection against other sexually transmittable infections and blood-borne illnesses such as hepatitis C, syphilis, chlamydia, and gonorrhea, it is a highly effective in reducing the risk of transmission of HIV among men who have sex with men. Despite the success of PrEP, there remain barriers to PrEP uptake rooted in stigmatized perspectives shared by health professionals, patients, and community members. The insidious impact of stigma associated with HIV/AIDS has permeated throughout the LGBTQ+ community, healthcare system, society in general and to this day, continues to exacerbate structural and social determinants of health disparities amongst sexual and gender minorities. While the initial resistance to PrEP has abated over time, stigmatized perspectives regarding PrEP continue to impede those at greatest risk from benefiting from effective preventive care.