Changes in geographic drive time access to pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in the United States, 2017 to 2025
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Objective: Assess current drive times to the nearest pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) provider in each county in the contiguous United States (US) and examine changes since the last analysis (2017). Methods: in March 2025. Geospatial analyses calculated one-way drive times from population-weighted county centroids to the nearest provider. Counties with drive times >30 min were defined as PrEP deserts. Linear regression assessed variation in drive times by urbanicity and region, adjusting for median income, small-area population estimates of men who have sex with men (MSM), and proportion of racial/ethnic minority populations. Results: < 0.05). Half of counties were PrEP deserts, accounting for 36 million residents and 4 % of PrEP-eligible MSM. Drive times in micropolitan/non-core counties were 5-8 times higher than in large metro counties. Between 2017 and 2025, the US South had the largest relative reduction in drive time: however, relative changes did not significantly differ by urbanicity. Conclusions: While PrEP access has improved nationally, important geographic disparities remain. Programs and policies must prioritize expanding access to PrEP to less urban areas to end the HIV epidemic in the US.
Source: Preventive Medicine Reports
Authors: Noah Mancuso, Kevin Weiss, Aaron J. Siegler, Patrick S. Sullivan
Institutions: Emory University, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Language: English
Subfield: Infectious Diseases
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,610
OpenAlex ID: W7117560235