PrEP Aware Week 2024: PrEP for all ages

Each year Evergreen Health participates in PrEP Aware Week: a New York State health education campaign that spreads the word about PrEP, the medication that nearly eliminates a person’s chances of becoming HIV positive.

The theme for PrEP Aware Week 2024 is PrEP for All Ages, which empowers us to redefine what it means to take ownership of our health, no matter what season of life we’re in. Whether you’re younger or older, single or partnered, career-focused or retired, exploring your sexuality, or simply enjoying sexual pleasure, PrEP is for adults of all ages and in all phases of life experience.

Evergreen is Western New York’s leading provider of PrEP. Read on to learn more about why taking PrEP is safe, easy and accessible for adults of all ages, genders, races and backgrounds, and what getting started with PrEP at Evergreen might look like for you.

What is PrEP?

Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) is a medication that when taken as prescribed nearly eliminates a person’s chances of becoming HIV positive.

There are more ways to take PrEP now than ever, including a once-daily pill, an on-demand option, and a periodic injection. PrEP is safe, and very few people experience side effects.

PrEP only prevents HIV and doesn’t prevent other sexually transmitted infections. Your provider can talk with you about an STI prevention strategy that works best for your life.

Who can take PrEP?

Anyone who is HIV negative and wants to take charge of their sexual health can take PrEP!

Although HIV is a treatable chronic illness, and people living with HIV can live full, healthy lives, taking PrEP to prevent HIV is an important way many people take charge of their sexual health and put their mind at ease.

Adults of all ages, genders, races and backgrounds can take PrEP. You can benefit from taking PrEP whether you’re currently single, have one sexual partner, or have many; or whether you’re exploring your sexuality in your twenties or enjoying pleasure in your retirement. Whatever stage of life you’re in right now, PrEP could be right for you.

We especially recommend PrEP for anyone who:

• has sex with multiple and/or anonymous partners
• has sex regularly or sometimes without a condom
• is not sure of their sexual partners’ HIV status
• has recently been diagnosed with an STI/STD
• uses injection and/or mood-altering drugs such as methamphetamine, cocaine or ecstasy

You must have a negative HIV status to take PrEP. Your provider will test you for HIV to confirm your status before starting you on PrEP.

How do I get started with PrEP?

Evergreen Health is Western New York’s leading provider of PrEP, and we make getting started with PrEP easy, stigma-free and accessible.

If you’re interested in PrEP, call us at 716.847.2441 (press option 5) to make an appointment with a PrEP provider. If your provider determines that PrEP is right for you, you can walk away with your prescription the same day as your appointment.

Most people who see an Evergreen provider and use our pharmacy pay $0 out of pocket for PrEP. We accept a wide range of insurance plans, and most plans in New York State cover PrEP. If you don’t have coverage, we have a dedicated team ready to assist you with obtaining the coverage that best fits your needs.

Visit prepforsex.org to learn more about PrEP Aware Week and how PrEP can support your sexual health.

We’re accepting new adult Primary Care patients at all our locations, and new Pediatric Care patients at 800 Hertel Ave.

Fill out our new patient request form or call us at 716.847.2441 (option 5) to learn more.