Recent research highlights the urgent need for substantial expansion in HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) efforts to meet the 2025 targets set by the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS). According to findings published in a recent issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, reaching the goal of 21.2 million individuals utilizing PrEP globally requires concerted actions.

The CDC's analysis indicates that in 2023, approximately 856,816 PrEP initiations were supported, accounting for nearly one-fourth of the estimated 3.5 million PrEP users worldwide. Over the span from 2017 to 2023, the CDC facilitated PrEP access for a total of 2,278,743 individuals, with a significant concentration (96%) in sub-Saharan Africa. The demographic breakdown shows that 64% of those initiating PrEP were female, and nearly 45% were aged between 15 and 24 years. Notably, during this period, the CDC surpassed its PrEP initiation targets by achieving 118.7% of its goals.

In sub-Saharan Africa, the majority of individuals starting PrEP were identified as female sex workers, while in regions such as Southeast Asia, Eurasia, and the Americas, the predominant users were men who have sex with men. Despite the impressive progress, the authors of the study emphasize that significant efforts are necessary to meet the UNAIDS target and eliminate HIV as a public health threat by 2030.

The researchers stress that overcoming barriers to PrEP initiation is crucial. Factors such as stigma, inadequate awareness of available PrEP services, and low risk perception among high-risk populations hinder the expansion of these programs. Addressing these challenges is essential for increasing the number of individuals who either initiate or continue with PrEP.

As the global health community strives to combat the HIV epidemic, enhanced strategies are required to promote PrEP use effectively. Initiatives aimed at increasing public awareness, education, and accessibility to PrEP can significantly contribute to achieving the ambitious target set for 2025.

For further details, the full text of the study can be accessed through the CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.