Summary of the Learning Collaborative

Between June 24-27, 2018 NMAC’s Treatment Division hosted a Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) Learning Collaborative. This meeting was part of the culminating activity for our PrEP Education and Awareness Program. At the PrEP Learning Collaborative, nearly 20 leaders from communities of color, primarily representing southern and/or rural jurisdictions across the United States, met in Washington DC to discuss the story behind the racial and ethnic disparities that exist as it relates to PrEP uptake. This conversation took place at the intersection of identities (race, ethnicity, gender, and sexual identity) and socio-structural factors that influence where people play, work, and sleep. Stakeholders from various perspectives of the PrEP cascade (individuals who have been prescribed PrEP, PrEP Navigators, PrEP providers, community based organizations, health departments as well as AIDS Education and Training Centers) shared their perspective and expertise to collaboratively develop a framework to mitigate cost, service and access issues which vary at the local, state and federal level. In order to address these issues, clear and concise policies must be developed and implemented to allow to provide guidance and set long-term standards that will increase use of PrEP (a proven life-saving solution). Specifically, with the rise of HIV diagnoses among gay men of color, it is crucial to educate not only young Black and Latino MSM but also health navigators and service providers. They must learn about policies that facilitate access to PrEP, related services, cost, and access points. As a result of this Learning Collaborative, NMAC shall release a practice-based resource, in the form of a book, guide, or manual for community leaders and clinical providers on how to increase the use of PrEP among people of color at our 2018 Biomedical HIV Prevention Summit in Los Angeles, CA.