HIV stigma remains a significant barrier to HIV prevention, care, and treatment. Since the beginning of the HIV epidemic, misinformation and fear about how HIV is transmitted have contributed to stigma against LGBTQ communities and other communities disproportionately impacted by HIV. This stigma has reinforced discrimination in health care, employment, housing, the justice system, and other essential areas of daily life, contributing to medical mistrust and making it harder for many people to seek HIV prevention services.

PrEP stigma can also discourage use among people who could benefit. PrEP users may be unfairly stereotyped as sexually irresponsible, promiscuous, or immoral, and these stereotypes can reduce interest in PrEP, disrupt adherence, or contribute to discontinuation. Intersecting forms of stigma — including racism, homophobia, transphobia, sexism, and HIV-related stigma — can further shape how different communities experience barriers to PrEP.

Language barriers, cultural beliefs, and immigration-related concerns can also affect access to HIV education, prevention, and care. In some communities, stigma around discussing sex, illness, or HIV can make it more difficult for individuals to seek information or services. For some immigrants and racial and ethnic minorities, concerns about immigration status, confidentiality, or discrimination may also discourage engagement with health care systems, including HIV testing, prevention, and treatment services.