Press Release: Dr. Kenneth Mayer, globally known for his progressive work and research regarding HIV/AIDS, will be visiting Pensacola next week to discuss new methods in HIV prevention. The community forum will take place on Monday, April 13, at 2pm in downtown Pensacola at the Bowden Building located at 120 Church St. The event is free and open to the public.
Dr. Mayer’s talk will primarily focus on Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) and Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP). PrEP is a single pill taken daily by an HIV-negative person who may come into contact with HIV. Used largely by those in cero-discordant relationships in which one partner is HIV-positive and the other is HIV-negative, PrEP can be a very successful prevention method when taken regularly. PEP is taken by an HIV-negative person who has unexpectedly come into contact with HIV; if taken with 72 hours of exposure, PEP can significantly reduce the risk of infection.
The forum is sponsored by the Community HIV Prevention Partnership, Red Ribbon Charitable Foundation, Northwest Florida AIDS/HIV Consortium (NoFLAC), Okaloosa AIDS Support and Informational Services (OASIS), HIVevolution, and the Florida Department of Health in Escambia County.