In the last quarter of 2012, Abounding Prosperity, Inc. (AP, Inc.) received news that they were fully funded to provide training and education to its clients, providers and all persons who are at high risk for HIV acquisition about new biomedical research that is reducing the rates of HIV infection! Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and post exposure prophylaxis (PEP) are prevention strategies involving antiretroviral therapy that may help reduce the risk of sexually acquired HIV-1 infection. In other words, if someone is in a monogamous relationship and is having unprotected sex, they can begin the Truvada regime and it can reduce their chances of becoming HIV positive, if their partner becomes infected and if someone was exposed to HIV but did not know, they can begin the PeP treatment; thus reducing their risk of becoming infected with HIV.
A study released by the CDC last year reported that HIV infection among Black gay and bisexual men in Dallas is one of the highest in the country. The study was administered in 21 metropolitan cities across the country revealed Dallas as one of the top six (6) cities with the highest rates of HIV infection and unfortunately, 54% of the study participants did not know that they were HIV positive. Ann Robins, Manager of HIV/STD Prevention Branch of Texas Department of State Health Services, had this to say: “According to the Texas Department of State Health Services, which contracts with Abounding Prosperity for HIV prevention in the Dallas area, the rate of new diagnoses of HIV in Blacks in Texas is about four times higher than the rates in Whites or Hispanics. DSHS also estimates that more than 17 in 100 Black men who are gay or have sex with other men are currently living with HIV – that is 68 times higher than the overall rate for Texas. “
Kirk Myers, the Founding CEO of Abounding Prosperity, Inc. had this to say: “it is very exciting to have received this funding to provide cutting edge training to hundreds of persons in Dallas that may not know about such biomedical research advances. My motivation for applying for such funding was enhanced after reading the 2010 ECHPP Report released by the Texas State Department of Health & Human Services (DSHS) stating that there is only one doctor in the state that is providing PeP and PrEP and that very little is known about its impact in the state of Texas. AP, Inc. is adamant about providing resources and services to those impacted by HIV so that we can begin eliminating the spread of HIV in communities of color and amongst the gay, bisexual and transgender communities.
A Gilead representative affirmed the funding and program by stating: ”Gilead Sciences, Inc. provided an unrestricted educational grant to support the PrEP UP! program.
AP, Inc. has proposed to implement PrEP/ Utilizing Prevention! or PrEP/UP! a training and education series as well as a social marketing series that will be geared towards its clients, all persons adversely impacted by HIV, and to providers who render HIV services to these persons about nPeP and PrEP.
The educational luncheons and individual sessions will afford the participants more knowledge about the biomedical research and what they can do to obtain such services. The social marketing campaign will attempt to reduce stigma by promoting PrEP/UP! at various venues around the city, including social media, and traditional marketing outlets. While AP, Inc. does not encourage anyone to have unprotected sex, there is a reality that there will be persons who will, therefore, this treatment is not a replacement of consistent condom usage.
A Press Conference for PrEP/UP! will be held on Feb. 7, 2013 at 10 a.m. apart of National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day at AP, Inc.’s Martin Luther King’s campus. During this time more information will be released about the implementation plans for PrEP/ UP!
During the press conference state and local officials will speak about the PrEP/UP! program and its potential impact on the city and state.
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