HIV Prevention and PrEP Access for Latino Men in Washington
HIV Prevention and PrEP Access for Latino Men in Washington
June is both Pride Month and Men’s Health Month. Nationally, Latino men account for about 32% of new HIV diagnoses, despite making up a smaller percentage of the population, according to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention This disparity is even greater among those who are gay, bisexual, or queer. These numbers show that HIV is still impacting our community in serious ways. But we have tools to protect ourselves and each other; one of the most effective is PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis), a daily pill that reduces the risk of getting HIV by over 90% when taken as prescribed.
Unfortunately, not everyone knows about PrEP, and many in our community face barriers to accessing it. Maybe the challenge is fear of being judged, not having insurance, language challenges, or just not knowing where to go. These obstacles are real, but there are resources in Washington designed to support us.
If you don’t have insurance, the Washington PrEP Drug Assistance Program can help cover the cost of both the medication and lab work. If you have Apple Health, Washington’s Medicaid program, PrEP is fully covered. Many clinics like Sea Mar, Planned Parenthood, and public health centers across the state offer HIV testing and PrEP services in both English and Spanish.
Organizations like Entre Hermanos in Seattle offer a welcoming, trusted space for our community. They have bilingual staff, including a Latino PrEP Navigator, who can help you understand your options, apply for assistance, and support you throughout the process. Their goal is to make sure that money, stigma, or paperwork don’t prevent you from protecting your health.
If you or someone you love could benefit from PrEP, visit www.doh.wa.gov/hiv or call the Washington HIV/AIDS Hotline at 1-877-376-9316. Spanish-language services are available. In King County, check out kingcounty.gov/hiv/testing for nearby clinics. Let’s take care of our health, support one another, and take pride in staying informed.
Resources:
Sea Mar Community Health Centers – Latino-focused clinics statewide (serving all people regardless of status or ability to pay).
Entre Hermanos – Seattle Latino LGBTQ center offering free HIV/STD testing and a bilingual PrEP navigator.
King County Sexual Health Clinic – Free, confidential HIV/STD testing and PrEP at Harborview; no one is turned away for lack of payments.