Pressure CDC to Correct Website’s Inaccurate and Harmful Content About PrEP

Today I take pen in hand to write you on an urgent matter regarding recent inaccurate, and harmful content that was published on the Centers For Disease Control (CDC) website concerning PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis) medications. The material published — on our government’s website, paid for by taxpayers — includes a section that completely mis-represents scientific understanding by limiting the concept of sex to a binary. This is harmful, and probably deliberate tactic of exclusion and misgendering of transgender and non-binary individuals. This has profound public health implications. The CDC, until this Administration had trusted material and inclusive language on its website, as any good, accurate, science-first organization ought to. This has been warped by the current administrators, that will likely cause the following potentially dangerous effects: ⁃ Create Barriers to Care: By using language that inaccurately defines sex and gender, the CDC alienates and misinforms transgender and non-binary individuals who are at risk for HIV and could benefit from PrEP. This mis-representation will directly hinder access to life-saving prevention tools. ⁃ Erode Public Trust: When a federal health agency disseminates information that contradicts accepted scientific understanding and medical consensus will undermine public confidence in its guidance and integrity. ⁃ Perpetuate Discrimination: Such language simply contributes to the marginalization and stigmatization of transgender and non-binary people: This will impact their health outcomes and overall well-being. According to accepted science, medical resources, the World Health Organizations and Johns Hopkins: “ When taken as prescribed, PrEP reduces the risk of acquiring HIV infection through sexual activity by up to 99% and, for those who inject drugs, at least 74%.”  So, we’re talking about public health, prevention and saving of lives here. As a voter and a constituent, I urge you take steps, thus: ⁃ Pressure the CDC to remove the inaccuracies on its PrEP information page. ⁃ Host a news conference about this inaccuracy and what it means with a health professional versed in treatment and/or public health to give it maximum exposure. ⁃ Ensure that all CDC public health guidance, particularly concerning sexual health and HIV prevention uses scientifically accurate and INCLUSIVE language that reflects the diversity of sex and gender. ⁃ Obtain confirmation that the work gets done by CDC in order to reaffirm their commitment to providing evidence-based, non-discriminatory health information for all Americans Our public health infrastructure must be a source of truth and support for everyone. It’s in the code of the medical and medical research profession for a reason, to do no harm. Thank you for your attention to this critical matter.