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A Novel Model of Collaboration to Increase Availability of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) to Uninsured Individuals in Charlotte/Mecklenburg County (MeckCo), NC.
Mecklenburg County, NC Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) is highly efficacious, but under-utilized, particularly in minority populations in Mecklenburg County (MeckCo). Despite an effective patient assistance program, barriers to PrEP include the cost of medical care and accessibility. MeckCo Public Health (MCPH) and clinics that serve low- income clients developed an innovative pilot program through a county-practitioner partnership to provide PrEP to uninsured, primarily minority individuals who require PrEP. While the program is open to all uninsured high-risk MeckCo residents, the priority populations for the pilot program are uninsured HIV negative individuals who self-report high-risk behaviors, and who are African American men who have sex with men (MSM). Since the implementation of the pilot program in March of 2018, six medical clinics have provided PrEP to 108 clients: ninety-nine of whom are still on the PrEP pilot program. Nine clients discontinued the program, 3 subsequently acquired health insurance coverage, 3 were lost to follow-up, 2 due to adverse reactions possibly related to the medication, and 1 for whom there was no reason given. None of the clients who started the program has developed a new HIV infection on PrEP. During screening, 7 clients were diagnosed as HIV positive and linked to care. Contact: Renate Nnoko Project Manager - Community HIV Plan |
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