Interconnected pathways to global health, symbolizing HIV prevention progress.

PrEP for All: Unlocking the Potential of HIV Prevention in Modern Healthcare

Mira Elwood in Health & Wellness July 2025 • 4 min read.

"Exploring the opportunities, challenges, and successful models for implementing pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to combat HIV."

For nearly four decades, the HIV/AIDS pandemic has caused immense suffering worldwide. The introduction of highly effective antiretroviral treatments has provided a beacon of hope, significantly reducing mortality rates and paving the way to potentially end the global epidemic. These treatments have saved millions of lives since the mid-1990s and can eliminate transmission risk when people with HIV achieve undetectable viral loads.

Adding to this progress, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) with antiretrovirals has emerged as a powerful tool to prevent new infections. Evidence overwhelmingly supports that PrEP can prevent millions of infections. The 2016 United Nations (UN) declaration set an ambitious Sustainable Development Goal to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030, underscoring the urgency and global commitment to HIV prevention.

To meet this goal, the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) has launched a 'Fast-Track' approach, calling for a rapid expansion of HIV prevention services. A key target is to get three million people on PrEP by 2020. This initiative aims to accelerate the prevention efforts and significantly reduce the number of new HIV infections worldwide.

Overcoming Barriers: Innovative Strategies in PrEP Implementation

Interconnected pathways to global health, symbolizing HIV prevention progress.

While antiretrovirals, both as treatment and PrEP, offer a chance to halt HIV transmission, making PrEP accessible remains a challenge. Currently, PrEP services are established in only a few settings, highlighting the urgent need for broader implementation strategies. Several factors contribute to these challenges, including healthcare provider readiness, policy frameworks, and demand creation.

Successfully implementing PrEP requires a multi-faceted approach that addresses various barriers and leverages innovative solutions. Several key areas need focus:

Goal Setting and Policies: Establishing clear, achievable targets and supportive policies at the national level.
Demand Creation: Raising awareness and generating demand for PrEP among those who would benefit most.
Accessibility: Ensuring PrEP services are easily accessible, affordable, and acceptable to diverse populations.
Retention: Developing strategies to keep individuals engaged and adherent to PrEP regimens.

Experiences from PrEP implementation pioneers around the world offer valuable insights and lessons. These pioneering efforts highlight diverse approaches and strategies that can be adapted and scaled to different contexts.

Charting the Course: Collaborative Efforts for a PrEP-Inclusive Future

As more countries embark on PrEP implementation and service provision grows, open discussions about opportunities and challenges will be vital. Sharing know-how and sparking service innovation is key. By learning from pioneers, we can accelerate PrEP expansion, moving closer to achieving global coverage targets and ultimately, ending the AIDS epidemic.

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This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1071/sh18182, Alternate LINK

Title: Getting Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (Prep) To The People: Opportunities, Challenges And Examples Of Successful Health Service Models Of Prep Implementation

Subject: Infectious Diseases

Journal: Sexual Health

Publisher: CSIRO Publishing

Authors: Iryna B. Zablotska, Jared M. Baeten, Nittaya Phanuphak, Sheena Mccormack, Jason Ong

Published: 2018-01-01

Everything You Need To Know

What exactly is PrEP and how does it contribute to combating the HIV/AIDS pandemic?

Pre-exposure prophylaxis, known as PrEP, uses antiretroviral medications to prevent HIV infection in people who are HIV-negative but at risk. It's a powerful tool that, along with treatment for those who have HIV, is helping to combat the global HIV/AIDS pandemic. PrEP is taken before potential exposure to HIV to reduce the risk of infection.

What global goals and initiatives are in place to promote PrEP as a key HIV prevention strategy?

The United Nations set a Sustainable Development Goal in 2016 to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030. To support this, UNAIDS launched a 'Fast-Track' approach, aiming to get three million people on PrEP by 2020. While the 2020 target may not have been universally achieved, the initiative underscores the urgency and global commitment to scaling up HIV prevention efforts.

What are some of the main barriers that are currently preventing PrEP from being more widely implemented?

Several factors hinder widespread PrEP implementation. These include healthcare provider readiness to prescribe and support PrEP use, supportive policy frameworks at national and local levels, and creating demand for PrEP among those who would benefit most. Overcoming these barriers is crucial for expanding PrEP access and achieving its full potential in HIV prevention.

What key areas must be focused on to ensure PrEP is implemented successfully?

Successful PrEP implementation requires a multi-faceted approach focusing on goal setting and policies, demand creation, accessibility, and retention. Clear targets and supportive policies guide implementation. Raising awareness and demand ensures those who need PrEP seek it. Accessible and affordable services are essential, and strategies to keep individuals engaged and adherent to PrEP regimens are vital for effectiveness. Without retention strategies, the impact of PrEP is limited.

How can countries implementing PrEP learn from others to improve and expand their PrEP programs?

Countries implementing PrEP can learn from pioneers by openly discussing opportunities and challenges, sharing know-how, and sparking service innovation. By adapting successful strategies to different contexts, we can accelerate PrEP expansion and move closer to ending the AIDS epidemic. Lack of collaboration can slow down the progress and limit the impact of PrEP on a global scale.