Terrence Higgins Trust have launched a PrEP awareness campaign, ‘PrEP Protects’ to raise awareness of the HIV prevention medication.
The campaign will be delivered through digital and social platforms and face-to-face outreach from 1 July to 30 September 2025. The campaign is funded by the Department of Health and Social Care as part of the HIV Prevention England programme.
PrEP is a highly effective drug that if taken before being exposed HIV can prevent HIV acquisition. However, data from UKHSA’s latest report on PrEP in England shows that inequalities in accessing PrEP continue to exist by gender identity, sexual orientation, and ethnicity.
The campaign is aimed at gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) and heterosexuals of Black African ethnicity, the two groups that continue to face disproportionate levels of new HIV diagnoses.
Amongst GBMSM there has been:
- 7% increase in HIV diagnoses first made in England between 2022 and 2023.
- The highest increase in new diagnoses is among GBMSM of Black African ethnicity.
- PrEP need was highest among GBMSM (70%).
- GBMSM of Black ethnicity were least likely to have their PrEP need identified and least likely to initiate or continue PrEP.
While PrEP awareness levels are generally high amongst GBMSM, more needs to be done to address inequalities and improve understanding of different dosing options.
For heterosexuals of Black African ethnicity, insights and the data show:
- There are lower levels of awareness of PrEP.
- PrEP need was least likely to be identified among heterosexual people of Black ethnicity.
People can get involved and support the campaign by
