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Contact: Jessica
Baggett, Disease Control and Health Statistics 360-338-5630
New
data show progress towards ending AIDS in Washington
OLYMPIA
– Recently released data show that
Washington state is doing well compared to other states when it comes to Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis use.
Data released by AIDSVu this week represents an encouraging and useful perspective on PrEP use.
The AIDSVu data show that in Washington state, at
least 2,694 individuals are on PrEP, with the understanding that these data are
an underestimate.
“PrEP is an effective tool for HIV prevention, and
is a critical component of our state’s Ends AIDS Washington initiative,” said Office of Infectious Disease
Deputy Director, Beth Crutsinger-Perry.
PrEP is a once daily pill that reduces the risk of
HIV infection among HIV-negative people.
The Department of Health coordinates a PrEP drug
assistance program for HIV-negative people who have risk factors that expose
them to HIV. This program offers financial assistance for medication and lab
services.
On Dec. 1, 2014, Governor Jay Inslee issued a proclamation supporting the development of a statewide plan to
reduce the rate of new HIV diagnoses by 50 percent by 2020.
Visit our website for information about PrEP,
including who should consider PrEP and where to find it.
The DOH website is your source for a healthy dose of information. Find us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. Sign-up for the DOH blog, Public
Health Connection.
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