Fact Check: Only 400,000 Americans currently use PrEP, a fraction of potential beneficiaries.

Fact Check: "Only 400,000 Americans currently use PrEP, a fraction of potential beneficiaries."

What We Know

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a medication that significantly reduces the risk of acquiring HIV. According to the CDC, in 2023, approximately 856,816 PrEP initiations were recorded globally, with 36% of the 1.2 million people who could benefit from PrEP in the U.S. being prescribed it, compared to 23% in 2019 (CDC). However, the claim specifically states that only 400,000 Americans currently use PrEP, which is a figure that appears to be outdated. By 2021, the number of PrEP users in the U.S. had already reached 363,957, and it has continued to grow since then (PMC).

Additionally, the CDC reported that 2,278,743 PrEP initiations were supported in 37 countries from 2017 to 2023, indicating a significant global uptake (CDC).

Analysis

The claim that only 400,000 Americans are currently using PrEP is misleading. While it may have been accurate at some point in the past, recent data shows that the number of PrEP users has been increasing. For instance, the CDC's report indicates that the number of PrEP initiations in the U.S. has risen significantly, with 856,816 initiations occurring globally in 2023 alone (CDC).

Moreover, a study analyzing PrEP uptake from 2012 to 2021 found that while there were disparities in usage among different racial and ethnic groups, overall uptake was increasing (PMC). The 400,000 figure does not reflect the current landscape of PrEP usage, which is more accurately represented by the 856,816 initiations reported for 2023.

The claim also suggests that this number is a "fraction of potential beneficiaries." The CDC estimates that 1.2 million people in the U.S. could benefit from PrEP (CDC). Therefore, while the current number of users is indeed a fraction of those who could benefit, it is essential to clarify that the actual number of users is higher than the claim suggests.

Conclusion

Verdict: Partially True
The claim that "only 400,000 Americans currently use PrEP" is partially true in that it reflects a lower figure than what is currently reported. However, it is outdated and does not account for the significant growth in PrEP usage in recent years. The assertion that this number represents a fraction of potential beneficiaries is accurate, but the actual number of users is notably higher than stated.

Sources

1. Progress Toward UNAIDS Global HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis
2. Equity of PrEP uptake by race, ethnicity, sex and region in ...
3. Expanding PrEP Coverage in the United States to Achieve ...
4. U.S. Statistics
5. Global State of PrEP
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8. AIDSVu Releases New PrEP Data and Launches PrEPVu.