# Global HIV‑prevention outreach and PrEP uptake challenges

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/global-hivprevention-outreach-and-prep-uptake-challenges
> Updated: 2026-07-27T04:26:46.000Z. Sources: 8. Developments: 2.

At the International AIDS Conference 2026 in Rio de Janeiro, Grindr for Equality announced a pledge to connect ten million LGBTQ+ users to HIV‑prevention services by 2028. The commitment follows the "Closing the Gap" report, which found high awareness of pre‑exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) but low usage among respondents in Brazil, the United Kingdom and India, attributing the shortfall to limited access and funding. Grindr plans to embed direct links to local testing, PrEP, doxyPEP and emerging tools within its app, building on prior campaigns that have distributed over 600,000 self‑test kits.

In parallel, Gilead Sciences launched a U.S. campaign aimed at young Black adults, using humor‑driven media to encourage HIV testing and discussion of PrEP, while a South African population‑based study reported that only 13 % of eligible adolescent boys and young men in KwaZulu‑Natal initiated PrEP, most doing so in high schools rather than health facilities. Both initiatives highlight persistent gaps in PrEP uptake across diverse populations and underscore efforts to expand access through digital platforms, targeted outreach, and non‑traditional service settings.

## Timeline

### 2026-07-27: Gilead’s US HIV prevention campaign and South African study reveal challenges in PrEP uptake

Gilead launches a US HIV prevention campaign targeting Black adults, while a South African study finds low PrEP uptake among high‑risk youth, especially in schools.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/gileads-us-hiv-prevention-campaign-and-south-african-study-reveal-challenges-in-prep-uptake

### 2026-07-27: Grindr for Equality pledges 10 million HIV‑prevention links by 2028

Grindr for Equality announced at the 2026 International AIDS Conference that it will link 10 million LGBTQ+ people to HIV‑prevention services by 2028, citing a report showing high PrEP awareness but low use in

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/grindr-for-equality-pledges-to-reach-10-million-lgbtq-users-with-hiv-prevention-by-2028-at-aids-2026

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Cite as: Global HIV‑prevention outreach and PrEP uptake challenges. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/global-hivprevention-outreach-and-prep-uptake-challenges