Dua Lipa, a global popstar, has won a lot of online support after making an argument about the value of safe sex and PrEP, a drug that can stop HIV infection.
British pop icon Dua Lipa has been making waves by drawing attention to PrEP, a drug which prevents people from contracting HIV.
The 30-year-old singer recently starred as a surprise special guest at a celebration for the first-ever National PrEP Day by MISTR, held at The Abbey in West Hollywood on October 9. She performed with major stars like Cardi B, Demi Lovato and Kim Petras, alongside famous Drag Race queens.
In a recent interview with Rolling Stone, Dua Lipa said she wished to “de-stigmatise” HIV and expressed her hope that it would one day be eradicated.
According to Dua, “I think there is a lot of stigma surrounding] HIV and sexually transmitted infections, and I think if we can break that stigma, we can have the best possible chance of getting the right healthcare for it.” I believe safe and enjoyable sex should be practiced.
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Many fans praised Dua for speaking out about a topic that is typically taboo in online forums. HIV-AIDS could, in the long run, become a footnote, a dark and significant one, in public health history, according to one Redditor.
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Your immune system is weakened by the human immunodeficiency virus, which raises your risk of developing serious illness. The majority of it is transmitted via oral, anal, and vaginal sex. There is still no cure, despite the fact that it can be treated.
One proven way to reduce the number of HIV cases is for those at risk to take PrEP. A trial conducted between 2017 and 2020 found the use of HIV PrEP reduced the chances of getting HIV by 86% and reduced HIV acquisition in real-world settings across several years.
Fortunately, awareness is increasing. According to a 2025 report, the number of people taking PrEP in sexual health services has continued to increase annually in the UK, with 111,123 accessing the medication in 2024 – a 7.7% uptick from 103,138 in 2023.
The most recent UK-wide estimate shows that there are around 113,500 people living with HIV in Britain. Meanwhile, according to the National Aids Trust, this figure has been increasing. A total of 107,949 people received HIV care in 2023 in the UK, representing a jump of 27% over the last 10 years.
But despite the uptick in cases, a 2022 government report found that stigma, alongside other mental health issues, are still a barrier for those seeking treatment.
Source: Mirror
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