Patients can now access nPEP, event-driven and daily PrEP at PPGC health centers to prevent and protect from HIV
HOUSTON / NEW ORLEANS / BATON ROUGE — This Pride Month, Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast (PPGC) is proud to announce the expansion of HIV prevention and post-exposure services for patients in all eight of its health centers across the greater Houston area and Louisiana. In addition to daily pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to help prevent HIV, patients can now access event-driven PrEP and non-occupational post-exposure prophylaxis (nPEP) at PPGC.
PrEP is a safe and highly effective medication that, when used correctly, can lower the chances of contracting HIV from sex by up to 99 percent. Event-driven PrEP, sometimes referred to as “on-demand” PrEP, allows patients to take the medication around the time of a potential exposure rather than every day. Anyone who is sexually active and doesn’t have HIV can use PrEP, and Planned Parenthood clinicians can help patients determine whether daily or event-driven PrEP is right for them.
While PrEP helps prevent HIV, nPEP can lower the chances of contracting HIV within 72 hours of exposure. nPEP consists of a regimen of antiretroviral medications taken as soon after an HIV exposure as possible and must be started within three days. Unlike PrEP, nPEP is a short-term treatment for people who have been recently exposed to the virus, and it does not prevent future HIV infection. People who start nPEP can also choose to start PrEP seamlessly once they have completed the nPEP course.
Statement from Dr. Bhavik Kumar, Medical Director of Primary and Trans Care, Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast:
“This Pride Month and every month, Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast is proud to stand with and for the LGBTQ+ community, which we know includes our patients, staff, and supporters. As a trusted provider of comprehensive, inclusive, and affirming sexual and reproductive health care for all people, we are thrilled to offer expanded access to HIV prevention and post-exposure services to patients across our region. While HIV impacts people from all walks of life, we know that it disproportionately affects some members of the LGBTQ+ community — particularly men who have sex with men — and the diagnosis rates are even higher for gay and bisexual men of color.
PrEP and nPEP are critical tools in our fight to end the HIV and AIDS epidemic in our communities and across the country. As we strive toward improving public health outcomes throughout Louisiana and the greater Houston area, it’s critical that all people – no matter who they are, how they identify, or how much money they make – can access care like PrEP and nPEP to help keep themselves, their partners, and their families safe and healthy. By expanding access to emergency treatment like nPEP, we can also help keep folks out of the ER, which can often be cost-prohibitive for patients with or without insurance.”
Most health insurance plans — including Medicaid — cover PrEP and nPEP, and low- and no-cost financial assistance programs are available for qualifying patients. PPGC can provide more information and help patients apply for these programs.
PPGC operates six health centers in the greater Houston area and two in Louisiana — one in New Orleans and one in Baton Rouge — as well as virtual health centers in both states. All currently approved forms of PrEP (including Truvada and Descovy) and nPEP are available at PPGC health centers, and PrEP follow-up appointments are offered both in-person and via telehealth.
The Human Rights Campaign named PPGC a “LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Top Performer” in 2022 for its LGBTQ+ patient-centered care, services, and support; inclusive benefits and policies; and community engagement. In addition to HIV prevention and protection services, PPGC offers a full spectrum of care to LGBTQ+ patients, including STI testing and treatment, cancer screenings, contraception, gender-affirming care for patients 18 and older, and more. For more information, visit ppgulfcoast.org/lgbtq.
Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast (PPGC) is a trusted reproductive health care provider, unbiased sexual health educator, and a passionate advocate for access to essential and affordable health care for all people in the Gulf Coast region. PPGC is a two-state affiliate based in Houston, Texas, serving 49 counties in southeast Texas and the state of Louisiana. PPGC operates six health centers in the Houston area and two health centers in Louisiana, in Baton Rouge and New Orleans. Every year, tens of thousands rely on PPGC for expert, compassionate care and information. PPGC has served Houston communities since 1936, and communities across Louisiana since 1984.
Texas: Parnia Razinobakht, parnia.razinobakht@ppgulfcoast.org
Louisiana: Kendra Smith-Parks, kendra.smithparks@ppgulfcoast.org
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