October 18, 2019
CONTACT: Kara Kane 
Email: kara.kane@erie.gov  
Phone: (716) 858-4941

STATEWIDE PrEP AWARE CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED BY NYSDOH AIDS INSTITUTE FOR OCTOBER 20-27 

Erie County Department of Health joins in promoting availability of a safe and effective medicine that can prevent HIV infection

ERIE COUNTY, NY — The Erie County Department of Health (ECDOH) is helping to promote a New York State Department of Health AIDS Institute statewide campaign. Titled “PrEP Aware,” the informational campaign runs from October 20 through October 27.

PrEP stands for pre-exposure prophylaxis, and refers to a daily pill that individuals with a higher risk of exposure to HIV can take to reduce their risk of becoming infected with HIV.

From the most recent NYS HIV/AIDS Surveillance Report in 2017, the number of newly diagnosed cases of HIV in New York State decreased 39% from 2009 to 2017.  “PrEP was introduced as a medication to prevent HIV infection in 2012,” said Erie County Commissioner of Health Dr. Gale Burstein. “It’s one of the reasons that we have seen decrease in new HIV cases in New York State and across the country. However, we have much more to do in terms of educating people about who should take PrEP and how it prevents new HIV infections.”

In New York State, approximately 32,000 people are now taking PrEP. ECDOH has an HIV Prevention team that coordinates community outreach activities to educate Erie County residents about the availability and effectiveness of PrEP. Based at 608 William Street in Buffalo, the team coordinates community testing and outreach events with a focus on screening for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.

This fall, the Erie County Department of Health will start to offer PEP as an additional service at its clinic at 608 William Street in Buffalo. “PEP stands for post-exposure prophylaxis, and it would be available for individuals to start taking within 72 hours of a potential exposure to HIV from sex, through sharing needles or as a result of a sexual assault,” said Dr. Burstein.

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Erie County Department of Health, Sexual Health Clinic: http://www2.erie.gov/health/index.php?q=sexual-health-clinic

Erie County Department of Health, PrEP:  http://www.erie.gov/prep

New York State Department of Health, Prep for Sex: http://www.prepforsex.org 

New York State Department of Health, AIDS Institute: https://www.health.ny.gov/diseases/aids/

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, HIV: https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/

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