DoxyPEP reached Southern public health clinics this month, two years after the CDC guidance that recommended it.
Seven states began distribution per Word In Black. The delay came down to procurement contracts, staffing, and in several states a review process that ran longer than the guidance itself took to write.
What it does, in plain terms: a single dose of doxycycline taken after sex substantially reduces the risk of syphilis and chlamydia. Black Health Matters published the full explainer on who the CDC recommends it for and how to get it per Black Health Matters.
The cost of the wait is measurable. Surveillance data covering the two-year gap shows syphilis cases in the region rose 34%, with the sharpest increases in rural counties where the nearest clinic can be an hour away per BlackDoctor.org.
Where to start: county health departments in the seven states are distributing at no cost, and most do not require an appointment. Call ahead to confirm supply, since initial allocations are limited.