HIV Prevention and PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis)

The program provides outreach, health communications/presentations, one-on-one communications, condom distribution and HIV testing and counseling along with linkage to care for those testing positive for HIV, those who have discontinued HIV care, and those interested in initiating PrEP. Additionally, this program provides an evidence-based intevention known as Community PROMISE serving young African-American men who have sex with men, which uses role modeling through transformative stories shared within the community. Finally, the PrEP program helps at-risk individuals, especially African-American men who have sex with men and transgender individuals living in or near Chicago’s Englewood neighborhood, to learn about and access medical care and PrEP (a medication which, reduces the risk of getting HIV from sex by more than 90% when used consistently. Among people who inject drugs, PrEP reduces the risk of getting HIV by more than 70% when used consistently.). The PrEP program’s Community Health Worker and Care Coordinator work closest with medical providers Provident Hospital, Heartland Health Outreach, and Howard Brown Health.