The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) just released a statement regarding human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) screening and preexposure prophylaxis. The ACOG guidance, Human Immunodeficiency Virus Screening and Preexposure Prophylaxis, includes five key recommendations and conclusions that are intended to guide health professionals (not just ob-gyns) in counseling patients regarding HIV prevention and screening.
The guidance statement also includes counseling considerations, with an emphasis on discussing the Five P’s with patients: partners, practices, protection from STIs, past history of STIs, and pregnancy intention. For the most complete look at the following key recommendations, consult the full-text version of the ACOG guidance statement on HIV screening and preexposure prophylaxis.
Recommendations and Conclusions from the 2026 ACOG Statement on HIV Screening and Prophylaxis
- Health care professionals should conduct comprehensive, inclusive, and nonjudgmental sexual histories during routine wellness visits for all individuals, regardless of age, marital status, or perceived risk.
- At least one lifetime human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) test should be recommended for all people using an opt-out approach. More frequent testing should be offered to those with ongoing risk factors.
- Health care professionals should be familiar with the local epidemiology of HIV to guide clinical decision making and HIV-prevention counseling.
- Health care professionals should proactively initiate discussions about HIV prevention, including preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP), with all sexually active adolescents and adults at increased risk of acquisition.
- Health care professionals should prescribe PrEP to patients with increased risk of HIV acquisition and should prescribe PrEP to any individual who requests it.
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