Oklahoma City – Guiding Right, an Oklahoma City-based nonprofit and Oklahoma’s leading Black public health organization, is urging Oklahomans to get tested for HIV as the organization expands its HIV prevention and care services, including free access to PrEP, a medication that reduces the risk of contracting HIV by up to 99% when taken as directed.
According to the CDC and Southern AIDS Coalition, nearly 9,000 Oklahomans are living with HIV, and 1 in 5 don’t know their status. Black Oklahomans are disproportionately affected, accounting for a majority of new HIV diagnoses statewide. Women and rural residents continue to face significant barriers to prevention and care.
“HIV prevention has never been more effective, but too many Oklahomans, especially women and communities of color, still don’t know they have options,” said Theodore Noel, president and CEO of Guiding Right. “Getting tested is the first step. From there, we can help connect people with the care and prevention tools they need, including PrEP, right here in Oklahoma City.”…