PrEP in New Hampshire — pre-exposure prophylaxis, who qualifies, how to start

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a daily pill (Truvada, Descovy) or every-two-months injection (Apretude) that prevents HIV in people who don't have HIV. Taken as prescribed, daily-pill PrEP reduces the risk of sexually transmitted HIV by about 99% and the risk from injection-drug sharing by about 74%, per CDC. In New Hampshire, PrEP is available through primary-care providers, FQHCs, LGBTQ+ community health centers, and Ryan White Part C clinics — you do not need to see an HIV specialist to start.

To qualify for PrEP you need a recent negative HIV test (or one done the same day), a baseline labs panel (kidney function, hepatitis B, STIs), and a prescriber visit. Follow-up is every three months for a repeat HIV test and medication refill. Most insurance including Medicaid covers PrEP with zero out-of-pocket under the USPSTF Grade A preventive-services rule. The drug manufacturers (Gilead, ViiV) operate patient-assistance programs for anyone without insurance.

New Hampshire operates New Hampshire PrEP Assistance Program, layered on top of the federal Ready, Set, PrEP program. Eligibility in New Hampshire goes up to 400% of the federal poverty line, which covers clinician visits, lab work, and medication. Apply through the state HIV program line at 1-800-852-3345 or any community HIV organization that holds a state PrEP navigation contract.

Black PrEP uptake nationally lags sharply — a 2023 AIDSVu analysis found that Black Americans account for 42% of new HIV diagnoses but only 14% of PrEP users. Long-time Black residents name Dartmouth Hitchcock Infectious Disease & International Health Clinic and Southern NH HIV/AIDS Task Force as the local institutions that show up consistently — both are listed below.

Dartmouth Hitchcock Infectious Disease & International Health Clinic. The Dartmouth Hitchcock ID Clinic in Lebanon is New Hampshire's largest Ryan White Part C grantee, serving about 800 people living with HIV across the state through the Upper Valley service footprint and a twice-monthly Manchester satellite.

Southern NH HIV/AIDS Task Force. The Southern NH HIV/AIDS Task Force in Nashua operates Ryan White Part B case management across Hillsborough and Rockingham counties, which account for roughly 60% of the state's people living with HIV.