You are HIV possible, which means anyone can acquire HIV. Remember the H, in HIV stands for human. As a human being you can acquire HIV through mother-child transmission, sharing drug injection equipment, such as needles and syringes, and through sexual activity including vaginal, anal, and oral sex. So, let’s talk about building your sexual health toolbox. Your sexual health toolbox contains options for you to ensure you have a healthy, fun, and pleasurable sex life.
PrEP, short for pre-exposure prophylaxis, is a safe and effective medicine that prevents HIV infection from sex or injection drug use. PrEP liberates you by giving you the freedom to have sex your way.
PrEP can be another tool that is a part of your sexual health toolbox, which also includes knowing your status, because no matter your HIV status, you have options.
Toni Bryce, Actress and Trans Activist
Just as you would use different tools for different jobs, your sexual health toolbox should include options that help you protect your health and meet your needs. These tools can include regular HIV and STI testing, condoms, open communication with partners, and prevention methods that fit your lifestyle. The more you know about your options, the more empowered you are to make choices that work for you.
Just as you would use different tools for different jobs, your sexual health toolbox should include options that help you protect your health and meet your needs. These tools can include regular HIV and STI testing, condoms, open communication with partners, and prevention methods that fit your lifestyle. The more you know about your options, the more empowered you are to make choices that work for you.

As of 2022, about 88% of Black Americans with HIV knew their HIV-positive status, leaving approximately 12% remaining unaware of their status.
In 2022, Black women accounted for 50%of HIV diagnoses among women, while only accounting for 13% of the U.S. female population.
Heterosexual transmission accounts for 90% HIVdiagnoses among Black women, and the HIV infection rate among Black women remains the highest compared to women of all other races and ethnicities. In 2023, Black women had the highest HIV diagnosis rate among women at 19.6 per 100,000, approximately 11 times the rate for white women (1.8 per 100,000).
According to a 2023 CDC report on 2022 data, 13% of Black people who could benefit from PrEP coverage had been prescribed it, compared to 94% of White individuals.
* Data as of 2023
As of 2022, about 88% of Black Americans with HIV knew their HIV-positive status, leaving approximately 12% remaining unaware of their status.
In 2022, Black women accounted for 50%of HIV diagnoses among women, while only accounting for 13% of the U.S. female population.
Heterosexual transmission accounts for 90% HIVdiagnoses among Black women, and the HIV infection rate among Black women remains the highest compared to women of all other races and ethnicities. In 2023, Black women had the highest HIV diagnosis rate among women at 19.6 per 100,000, approximately 11 times the rate for white women (1.8 per 100,000).
According to a 2023 CDC report on 2022 data, 13% of Black people who could benefit from PrEP coverage had been prescribed it, compared to 94% of White individuals.
While taking PrEP, you’ll have to visit your health care provider routinely as recommended for follow-up visits, HIV tests, and prescription refills or shots.
While taking PrEP, you’ll have to visit your health care provider routinely as recommended for follow-up visits, HIV tests, and prescription refills or shots.
