TY - JOUR
T1 - Sankofa! Leveraging Cultural Assets to Advance Long-Acting Injectable Pre-exposure Prophylaxis Among U.S.-Based African Immigrants
AU - Aidoo-Frimpong, Gloria
AU - Koku, Emmanuel
AU - Okoro, Olihe
AU - Gyamerah, Akua
AU - Johnson, Nettie
AU - Schwartz, Sheree
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature 2025.
PY - 2025/10
Y1 - 2025/10
N2 - African immigrants in the U.S. face disproportionately high rates of HIV, yet their unique prevention needs remain overlooked. Long-acting injectable PrEP (LAI-PrEP) presents a critical opportunity to expand prevention by offering a discreet and convenient alternative to daily oral PrEP. Its successful implementation, however, requires approaches that build on the strengths of African immigrant communities, including their rich traditions of storytelling, collective problem-solving, and digital connectivity. In this commentary, we highlight three culturally responsive strategies — storytelling, crowdsourcing, and digital platforms like WhatsApp — that can enhance awareness and uptake of LAI-PrEP. By leveraging existing community networks and trusted communication channels, these approaches can drive engagement and support sustained use. A strengths-based approach to LAI-PrEP implementation has the potential to not only reduce HIV disparities but also reinforce community-driven solutions that promote long-term health and well-being among African immigrants in the U.S.
AB - African immigrants in the U.S. face disproportionately high rates of HIV, yet their unique prevention needs remain overlooked. Long-acting injectable PrEP (LAI-PrEP) presents a critical opportunity to expand prevention by offering a discreet and convenient alternative to daily oral PrEP. Its successful implementation, however, requires approaches that build on the strengths of African immigrant communities, including their rich traditions of storytelling, collective problem-solving, and digital connectivity. In this commentary, we highlight three culturally responsive strategies — storytelling, crowdsourcing, and digital platforms like WhatsApp — that can enhance awareness and uptake of LAI-PrEP. By leveraging existing community networks and trusted communication channels, these approaches can drive engagement and support sustained use. A strengths-based approach to LAI-PrEP implementation has the potential to not only reduce HIV disparities but also reinforce community-driven solutions that promote long-term health and well-being among African immigrants in the U.S.
UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105012632994
UR - https://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=105012632994&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1007/s10903-025-01750-6
DO - 10.1007/s10903-025-01750-6
M3 - Letter
C2 - 40779014
AN - SCOPUS:105012632994
SN - 1557-1912
VL - 27
SP - 652
EP - 657
JO - Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health
JF - Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health
IS - 5
ER -