Public Health Matters: The Pharmacist's Role in the HIV Space, Removing Barriers, Racial Disparities

In this special episode of Public Health Matters for National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, Dr. Christina Madison and special guest Alsean Bryant discuss Bryant's work in addressing health and racial disparities within the HIV community. They also highlight Bryant’s journey to becoming a PrEP provider as well as the intersection of pharmacy, public health, and music in his life and career.

Key Takeaways: Pharmacists play a vital role in public health, particularly in addressing health disparities within the HIV community, and their expertise in medication management and patient counseling are essential for improving health outcomes. Normalizing conversations about sexual health and HIV prevention in primary care settings is essential, and integrating these discussions into routine care can improve prevention and reduce barriers to testing. Despite advancements in HIV prevention, challenges such as access to care and medication adherence persist and addressing these challenges requires collaborative efforts among health care providers, policy-makers, and community organizations. Collaborative practice agreements and advocacy efforts are key to expanding the roles of pharmacists in public health and HIV care.