CDC’s New Risk Reduction Tool: Exploring Prevention Options
Content From: David W. Purcell, JD, PhD, Deputy Director, Behavioral and Social Science, Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, NCHHSTP, CDC•Published: May 02, 2016•3 min read
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In 2013, CDC stopped using the terms "protected" or "unprotected" sex in relation to HIV risk. “Protected” once only meant wearing a condom, but now, “protected” can include other HIV prevention strategies, such as biomedical options (e.g. PrEP) in addition to condoms. CDC now uses more specific language and integrated prevention messages in all of its communication channels: on the web, in research, and in campaigns.
One example of this change is the integrated message in “Start Talking. Stop HIV,” an HIV prevention campaign for gay and bisexual men. The campaign’s call to action is: "Protect yourself and your partner. Talk about testing, your status, condoms, and new options like medicines that prevent or treat HIV." This campaign is inclusive of the many options available to reduce HIV risk, and it presents them in a clear, simple, and engaging way.
The HIV Risk Reduction Tool, developed through a systematic scientific process, provides a comprehensive update of CDC's HIV prevention messages. This tool brings together all of our prevention messages for different populations. It also enables users to compare the risks created by different sexual activities and to see how one or a combination of prevention methods – such as condoms, PrEP, or ART – could reduce the risk of HIV. With the interactive tool, users can:
- Customize the information to see risks for discordant couples;
- Personalize the content they get by gender, HIV status, and gender of sex partner;
- Go into greater depth and seek additional resources;
- Compare HIV risk associated with sex acts and how risk changes according to the act (oral versus anal sex), risk factors (STDs and acute HIV infection), and choice of prevention options (ART, PrEP, condoms, etc.) and
- Get estimated risks in numeric form by using tables that contain per-act transmission by behavior, the effectiveness of prevention options to reduce risk, and factors that increase risk.