Latin American countries account for 306,000 cumulative PrEP initiations in the Global PrEP Tracker as of Q2 2024, which represent 4% of the global total. Since 2019, PrEP initiations across the region continue to increase at a steady rate, with Brazil reaching about 194,000 cumulative PrEP initiations (63% of regional total) since the inception of its National PrEP Program. Read more in PxWire.
PrEP Initiations in Latin America, 2019-2024
PrEP Approval Status in Latin America, 2024
Since 2019, rates of HIV acquisition in Latin America have been trending upward, from 110,000 annually in 2019 to approximately 120,000 in 2023. At the same time, Latin America has taken strides to combat this trend, from increasing PrEP initiation rates to preparing for longer acting PrEP products, such as injectable cabotegravir (CAB) and lenacapavir (LEN). Learn more in PxWire.
Moving a Product to the Real World
The rollout of oral PrEP demonstrates that people don’t take PrEP simply because it’s available—there needs to be a demand for it, and it needs to be accessible, acceptable and used effectively by those who need and want it. These are the lessons the field is applying to the rollout of the dapivirine vaginal ring (DVR), and injectable cabotegravir (CAB) and lenacapavir (LEN) for PrEP. To reach the UNAIDS target of 10 million PrEP users by 2025, initiations of oral PrEP alone will not be enough—and this graphic shows that the field is beginning to apply past lessons to accelerate introduction of injectable PrEP options.
This is an updated version of a graphic excerpted from PxWire.
An Overview of Lenacapavir for PrEP Trials
Spotlight on MPTs Addressing STIs
This graphic outlines the development journey of multipurpose technologies (MPTs) that guard against STIs, including HIV, while also preventing pregnancy. It tracks the advancement of various potential products through different trial stages, emphasizing their combined protective roles. Excerpted from our Advocates’ Guide to Multipurpose Technologies.
At A Glance: The MPT R&D Pipeline
This graphic shows the status of products in development. Excerpted from our Advocates’ Guide to Multipurpose Technologies.
The Future of ARV-Based Prevention and More
The pipeline of non-vaccine HIV prevention products includes oral pills, vaginal rings, vaginal and rectal gels, vaginal films, long-acting injectable antiretrovirals and more. Also pictured are the range of MPTs in development that aim to reduce the risk of HIV and STIs and/or provide effective contraception for women.
The HIV Prevention Pipeline
This graphic shows currently available options for HIV prevention, newly approved and recommended treatment, and those in development.
Impact of the Anti-Homosexuality Act on PrEP Uptake Rates in Uganda Compared to Other Countries
Oral PrEP initiations in Uganda were among the highest in the region, with sizable increases each quarter, until the enactment of the Anti-Homosexuality Act (AHA) in March 2023. Since then, the number of new PrEP initiations plummeted, and have since struggled to sustain rates seen in 2023. Public policies clearly matter.
What Happens to PrEP Initiations in Countries with Anti-Discrimination Policies?
Among 134 countries reviewed, 42 have comprehensive anti-discrimination policies covering a broad range of populations, while 24 lack any such policies. The remaining countries have adopted partial measures. Nations with comprehensive anti-discrimination policies, document significantly higher rates of PrEP initiation compared to those without such protections. Key studies show a strong link between supportive policies (which can enable PrEP eligibility, HIV self-testing, and lower age of consent for treatment, for example) and higher PrEP initiations.