A recent study led by Emory University’s Rollins School of Public Health, published in JAMA Network Open, has found a significant increase in the use of telemedicine for accessing pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), a medication used to prevent HIV. The research estimates that nearly 20% of PrEP users in the United States—over 110,000 out of approximately 580,000 people taking PrEP in 2024—received their prescriptions through telemedicine.
This marks a substantial rise from less than 1% of users obtaining PrEP via telemedicine in 2019 and is double the proportion recorded in 2022. The study notes that these figures likely underestimate the overall impact because data was collected from only one national telehealth provider.
Total PrEP usage also increased during this period, with coverage growing from about 264,000 users in 2019 to more than 591,000 in 2024. Despite this growth, access barriers remain for many; the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has estimated that around 2.2 million people could benefit from using PrEP.
The researchers reported several key findings:
– Most telePrEP users (77%) had not previously taken PrEP.
– Over one-third (58,761) were uninsured.
– More than 80% opted for at-home testing for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.
“This study indicates that there is a real demand for delivery of services outside of clinics and that the telePrEP model is a promising avenue. As the health care system is undergoing changes, we should keep building on the telePrEP model and continue to innovate in the ways we deliver effective and efficient interventions like PrEP,” said Aaron Siegler, PhD, associate professor at Emory’s Rollins School.
The research team collaborated with partners including the National Alliance of State and Territorial AIDS Directors, Washington University in St. Louis, and Whitman-Walker Health. They analyzed national prescription data from AIDSVu—a mapping tool developed by Emory—and de-identified information provided by MISTR, which is currently recognized as the largest national provider of telePrEP services.
MISTR works with community-based organizations participating in the federal 340B drug pricing program to make telePrEP available at no cost regardless of insurance status. The company covers expenses related to laboratory tests, consultations, prescriptions, and shipping. This approach aims to reduce common obstacles such as costs and stigma associated with seeking HIV prevention care.
“This study is validation that our model works and that telehealth can help end HIV and reduce sexually transmitted infections in the U.S.,” said Tristan Schukraft, founder and CEO of MISTR. “When care is free, fast and stigma-free, people use it.”
