New York State Department of Health Announces PrEP Aware Week Campaign Promoting HIV Prevention Through Health Equity And Self Determination

Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) Medications Help Prevent HIV Before Exposure

PrEP Aware Week Runs from October 19 to October 25

This Year's Theme is: "PrEP Revolution"

Download the PrEP Aware Week Social Media Toolkit

ALBANY, N.Y. (October 20, 2025) – The New York State Department of Health today announced the launch of PrEP Aware Week, an annual awareness campaign to promote sexual health and HIV awareness and prevention. PrEP Aware Week started October 19 and runs through October 25. This year's theme, "PrEP Revolution," stands for health equity, self-determination and unapologetic visibility. It redefines Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV prevention as more than a medication, but a symbol of choice, care and community.

"PrEP Revolution is a powerful theme built on the foundation that access to HIV prevention is a right that allows everyone across generations, identities and communities to make informed choices about their own health," State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said. "PrEP is up to 99% effective when used appropriately at preventing the transmission of HIV and is an important tool in accomplishing our goal to end the HIV epidemic."

PrEP Aware Week is a public health education campaign in New York State funded through the Department's AIDS Institute that promotes the use of PrEP as a routine, accessible option to prevent HIV infection.

Throughout the week there will be a series of in-person and virtual events and activities, with the goal of boosting awareness and knowledge of PrEP among high priority populations.

The campaign seeks to address persistent inequities in PrEP uptake across the State by making sure everyone, regardless of age, identity or background, knows that PrEP is effective and available for them. The AIDS Institute continues to focus PrEP efforts on reaching these individuals and communities including women, and Black, Indigenous, and New Yorkers of color.

This year's campaign features eight dynamic ambassadors from across the state, highlighting a diverse range of communities representing different identities, backgrounds and age groups. With the youngest ambassador in the history of the campaign (age 17) and the oldest in the history of the campaign (age 78), this year's dynamic group embodies 60 years of life experience, shared stories and real people taking control of their health. Also new this year, in addition to Spanish speaking ambassadors, there is also an ambassador who speaks Korean and has created their video in both Korean and English.

For individuals or organizations interested in promoting the benefits of PrEP, a social media toolkit is available and contains ready-to-post content, hashtags and digital resources.

PrEP has proven to be 99 percent effective at preventing sexual transmission of HIV. For those who are HIV negative, PrEP is safe, widely available and affordable interventions to prevent people at risk from getting HIV. PrEP medications have little to no side effects and are available as a pill that is taken daily or on demand, which is a planned dosing schedule when an individual knows they will need it most. It is also available as an injection that is taken either once every two months or once every six months. People interested in taking control of their health and choosing which PrEP option is best for them should speak with a health care provider.

Medicaid and most insurance plans cover all costs for PrEP. This includes appointment fees, lab tests and medication. Medicare also covers PrEP medications and related services such as counseling, HIV and hepatitis B screenings. For Medicare Part B beneficiaries these services are provided with no cost-sharing, meaning deductibles and co-pays are excluded and there are zero out of pocket payments, pending acceptance from the provider. The Department also offers a PrEP Assistance Program (PrEP-AP) which includes information about payment options, with drug manufacturers offering assistance as well.

The New York State Clinical Guidelines Program offers up-to-date practice recommendations from clinicians in the PrEP to Prevent HIV and Promote Sexual Health guideline. Updates to this guideline were released this week, including new alternative oral dosing strategies as well as recommendations to safely and effectively integrate recently approved injectables into practice as a PrEP option. The guideline emphasizes shared decision-making between clinicians and patients while considering all available options for PrEP.

HIV self-test kits allow people to learn their status quickly and conveniently in the privacy of their own home. Individuals interested in receiving a free HIV self-test kit can complete a Home Test Eligibility Survey to see if they are eligible to receive an HIV self-test kit mailed directly to their home. 

New York State continues to remove barriers to PrEP access. Legislation signed in 2024 by Governor Hochul prohibits insurers from discriminating against people who were prescribed PrEP, prohibits insurers from utilizing prior authorization for coverage of PrEP medications and prohibits insurers from imposing copayments for PrEP.

The New York State Department of Health's AIDS Institute is committed to eliminating transmission and improving the health and wellbeing of persons living with HIV, hepatitis C, sexually transmitted infections and individuals who use drugs, or identify as part of the LGBTQ+ population. 

Find details on this year's PrEP Aware Week in-person and virtual events and activities here.

The 2025 PrEP Aware Week social media tool kit can be found here.

PrEP Revolution campaign resources can be found here.