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KBIA’s Health & Wealth Desk covers the economy and health of rural and underserved communities in Missouri and beyond. The team produces a weekly radio segment, as well as in-depth features and regular blog posts. The reporting desk is funded by a grant from the University of Missouri, and the Missouri Foundation for Health.Contact the Health & Wealth desk.

Columbia Health Department Offers New Clinic to Connect Mid-Missourians to HIV Prevention Medication

Bram Sable-Smith
/
KBIA

Columbia/Boone County Public Health and Human Services is now offering consultation – and access – to PrEP, or Pre-exposure prophylaxis – a medication that provides protection against HIV infection.

The new weekly consultation clinic will take place on Mondays from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., and its funding comes from the 2019 “Ending the HIV Epidemic in the U.S.” plan that was announced under former President Donald Trump.

The plan calls for a 75% reduction of new HIV infections in the U.S. by 2025 and a 90% reduction by 2030. Missouri is part of the plan’s Phase 1 because it is one of seven states identified as having a high number of new HIV diagnoses in rural areas.

Ashton Day is a health educator for Columbia/Boone County Public Health and Human Services and said the funding – as well as the local slowdown in the COVID-19 pandemic – has finally allowed the department to set up the consultation program for the 37 counties it serves.

She said it’s simple: “When folks come in and they get tested for any STD or they mentioned they have a risk factor, we would give them information about PrEP and how to get it, and then we would set them up with an appointment for consultation.

She said the Department will provide a prescription for the first round of medication, but – more importantly – will get people signed up for payment assistance and connected to a Primary Care Physician for follow up care.

“So, they can follow up with treatment regularly,” Day said. “Because it is a daily pill the first time – it lasts for 30 days – and then you have to have checkups at three, six and nine months.”

Day noted there are many risk factors for contracting HIV, including other STI infections, intravenous drug use, sex work or unsafe sex practices, and there are several groups at higher risk – including gay men, Black men, and Black women.

“It affects everyone eventually, and not only is it [PrEP] a great, easy, preventative way to stop spread of disease, but then also – the less people who are sick, the better it is for the economy, the better it is for our healthcare system,” Day said. “I think the last year of COVID really showed us how [you] being healthy helps everybody.”

Day said the health department now joins several other area providers – Spectrum Health Care and Planned Parenthood Great Plains – in offering access to the preventative medication.

And she added that they have yet to see anyone in the three or so weeks the clinic has been operating, but they are hoping to serve 20 to 30 folks in the coming year.

You can find more information about the clinic or schedule a PrEP consultation by calling Columbia/Boone County Public Health and Human Services at 573.874.7355.

Rebecca Smith is an award-winning reporter and producer for the KBIA Health & Wealth Desk. Born and raised outside of Rolla, Missouri, she has a passion for diving into often overlooked issues that affect the rural populations of her state – especially stories that broaden people’s perception of “rural” life.