SILVER SPRING, MARYLAND, JANUARY 22, 2024 – CCI Health Services (CCI), one of the largest and leading Federally Qualified Health Centers serving Montgomery and Prince George’s counties, announced today the launch of same-day PrEP access. The new offering makes CCI the first health center in Montgomery County to offer same-day access.

“CCI branching into same-day PrEP initiation fundamentally changes the conversation on HIV prevention in Montgomery County,” said Wilfredo Giordano-Perez, MD, MBA, CCI’s Chief Medical Officer. “We’re not just increasing access to an effective intervention; we’re responding to the ongoing epidemic in our communities and furthering public health. Our team is immensely proud to innovate opportunity to promote healthy sexual behaviors and risk reduction for our neighbors.”

PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) is an oral medicine taken daily to prevent HIV exposure. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), proper PrEP usage can reduce the risk of HIV exposure through sex by 99% and drug use by 74%.

While several health spaces in Montgomery County prescribe PrEP, CCI is unique in its adoption of same-day PrEP initiation, enabling patients to receive a prescription in their initial encounter. Conventional PrEP prescribing practices comprise several encounters over time, creating barriers to adherence and access. Same-day PrEP initiation maintains the same safety standards while improving adherence rates and, in tune, intervention efficacy.

CCI offers PrEP free of charge to populations who historically face barriers to sexual health resources, including adolescents, patients without insurance, and patients without a legal residency status. Moreover, the organization also offers Tele-PrEP, which allows patients to complete their first appointment for PrEP via telemedicine.

In 2022, there were 751 reported HIV diagnoses in Maryland; 32.4% were adults between the ages of 20 and 29 years, 32.2% were between ages 30 and 39, and 17.4% were between ages 40 and 49. 2021 estimates suggest that an additional 9.1% of Maryland residents with HIV remain undiagnosed.

About CCI Health Services: Founded in 1972, CCI Health Services is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that provides quality and affordable health care to patients in Montgomery and Prince George’s counties. In addition, CCI empowers underserved populations and advocates for a more equitable health care system.