Raheem DeVaughn Says The Time Is Now: Let’s End HIV in Our Communities It Disproportionately Affects African American Women

Set against the backdrop of the NMA conference, Executive Officers from the National Medical Association, Grammy Award Winning Artist and Advocate Raheem DeVaughn, and Gilead Sciences experts, are holding today an important conversation on HIV prevention and health equity.
Black women continue to be disproportionately impacted by HIV despite advances in prevention options. Today’s event is designed to uplift voices, explore barriers to access, and increase awareness and key updates about PrEP, a proven prevention method that remains underutilized among Black women. This timely gathering will feature voices from across health, media, and advocacy as we break stigma and center equity in HIV prevention.
Additional stats and information to know:
● Black women continue to be disproportionately affected by HIV, with Black women representing more than 50% of new HIV diagnoses among women in the U.S. in 2022, despite comprising just 13% of women in the U.S.
● Women made up only 8% of PrEP users despite representing 19% of all new HIV diagnoses in 2022.
● Gilead Sciences is increasing awareness and addressing stigma by encouraging regular HIV testing and having judgment-free conversations with your healthcare provider about prevention options, including oral PrEP and long-acting injectable PrEP options.
● PrEP is an HIV prevention medication that has been available since 2012.
● Only 1 in 3 people in the U.S. who could benefit from PrEP were prescribed a form of PrEP in 2022.