Wake County Public Health is taking a bold step in the fight against HIV with the launch of a new PrEP awareness campaign aimed at increasing education and access to preventive treatment. Pre-exposure prophylaxis, PrEP, is a highly effective medication that reduces the risk of HIV transmission when taken as prescribed.
Wake up to PrEP aims to reach at-risk communities through educational resources, community outreach and partnerships with local healthcare providers. The campaign seeks to educate residents about PrEP and how they can access it at reduced cost through Wake County Public Health.
“By increasing awareness and breaking down barriers to treatment, we can significantly reduce new HIV infections in our community,” said Wake County Commissioner Don Mial. “We want to empower our residents, especially those who may be at a higher risk of HIV exposure, to know their options and how they can access this preventive treatment.”
According to the North Carolina Department of Public Health:
- Wake County saw 161 newly diagnosed HIV infections in 2024, a 13.3% increase from 2023.
- As of 2023, more than 37,490 people diagnosed and living with HIV reside in North Carolina.
- People aged 20 to 34 years old had the highest rates of newly diagnosed cases (57.1%) in 2024.
- Among race/ethnicity groups, Black/African Americans represented a majority (56.5%) of newly diagnosed cases of HIV in Wake County for 2024.
- For gender, men accounted for 81.4% of all new cases in Wake County.
- The rate of newly diagnosed HIV increased among Hispanic/Latinx people in 2024, accounting for nearly one-fourth of new diagnoses.
Wake Up to PrEP will include digital and social media outreach, outdoor advertising, informational events and collaborations with community organizations to spread awareness and provide direct support for those seeking treatment.
About PrEP
PrEP is a daily pill or bi-monthly injection that prevents HIV by blocking the virus from establishing an infection in the body. When taken consistently, PrEP reduces the risk of contracting HIV from sex by about 99% and from injection drug use by at least 74%.
It is recommended for people who are at higher risk of HIV exposure, including those with an HIV-positive partner, individuals with multiple sexual partners, people who inject drugs and anyone who does not consistently use condoms. It is also a key preventive option for LGBTQ+ individuals and others in communities disproportionately affected by HIV.
Residents can learn more about PrEP, determine their eligibility and seek treatment by visiting wake.gov/PrEP.
