Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region and Southwest Missouri expands services to reduce HIV/AIDS rates in Missouri and Illinois
For Immediate Release: July 23, 2019
ST. LOUIS - Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region and Southwest Missouri (PPSLRSWMO) announced today it is now offering PrEP at all of its health centers. Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a daily HIV prevention medication that reduces the chances of infection and transmission. The new service complements the health care provider’s current HIV testing and counseling services to reduce the number of people contracting HIV and AIDS in Missouri and Illinois.
“Employing as many strategies as possible to reduce HIV transmission is a critical component of our commitment to a healthy community,” said Dr. Colleen McNicholas, Chief Medical Officer of PPSLRSWMO. “Improved availability of services like PrEP can empower people to seek and live healthy and fulfilling lives. Planned Parenthood is proud to continue the work toward reducing stigma, improving access, and reaching people where they are.”
PrEP is a daily pill taken prior to HIV exposure and is intended for long-term use. When taken as prescribed, it can reduce the risk of acquiring HIV by up to 90 percent.
According to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, the number of new HIV diagnoses in Missouri has increased by more than 10 percent since 2013. Although diagnoses are on the decline in Illinois, according to the Centers for Disease Control, rates are higher in Illinois compared to the rest of the Midwest.
Those interested in PrEP can make an appointment at Planned Parenthood to talk to a clinician. PrEP may be right for those who:
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Have a sexual partner who has HIV (sometimes called serodiscordant, serodifferent, magnetic, or mixed status couples).
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Have a sexual partner who is at high risk for getting HIV (like if they have anal or vaginal sex with other people without condoms, or they’re an injection drug user).
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Have anal or vaginal sex with many partners, especially if condoms aren’t used regularly.
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Engage in sex work.
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Have injected drugs, shared needles, or been in treatment for drug use in the past 6 months.
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Are at high risk for HIV and are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or breastfeeding.
PrEP is covered by Medicaid and most insurance programs. Those unsure about coverage should check with their insurance company to see if PrEP is covered by their plan. For those uninsured or underinsured, PPSLRSWMO will work with patients to find a payment option. More information about PrEP is available at www.ppslr.org. For anyone interested in starting PrEP, same-day, evening and weekend appointments can be scheduled by calling 314-531-7526.
Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region and Southwest Missouri has provided high-quality, supportive health care in the region since 1932. They are the area leaders in sexual and reproductive health care, providing contraception, cancer screenings, STD testing and treatment, education and more to tens of thousands of women and men each year. Patients can make appointments online or by phone at 1-800-230-PLAN (7526).
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Contact: Jesse Lawder
314-531-7526 ext 307