The article titled “From Hope to Risk: Representation of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV in the Spanish Press (2018-2023)” by Laura Cabrera and Sergio Villanueva Baselga analyzes the representation of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV in the Spanish press between 2018 and 2023. PrEP is a highly effective tool for HIV prevention, capable of reducing the risk of infection by up to 92% with consistent use. However, its adoption remains low due to various structural, social, and personal barriers, including stigma.
The study is based on a quantitative content analysis of articles from four Spanish newspapers: El País, La Vanguardia, El Mundo, and Ara. The results reveal a significant shift in the media’s representation of PrEP, transitioning from hopeful narratives to risk-focused approaches after its implementation. Initially, PrEP was presented as a promising biomedical breakthrough, but over time, media coverage began associating it with risks such as an increase in other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and a decrease in condom use.
The analysis shows that media coverage of PrEP has predominantly focused on cisgender men, with limited mentions of cisgender women and transgender men. This biased representation may contribute to the perpetuation of stereotypes and the exclusion of certain groups from the public discussion on PrEP. Additionally, a shift was observed in the sources cited in the articles: while civil society organizations were prominent in the pre-implementation period, the post-implementation period saw an increase in individual testimonies and voices from the pharmaceutical industry.
The study concludes that media coverage of PrEP in the Spanish press has evolved toward a more risk-centered narrative, which could contribute to stigma and hinder its adoption. The need to improve communication strategies is emphasized to support PrEP uptake and reduce associated stigma.
This article is the result of the Final Degree Project (Trabajo Final de Grado, TFG) in Audiovisual Communication by Laura Cabrera (listed as the first author), supervised by researcher and CRICC secretary Sergio Villanueva Baselga (listed as the second author).
Cabrera, L., & Villanueva Baselga, S. (2025). From hope to risk: representations of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV in the Spanish press (2018–2023). Culture, Health & Sexuality, 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1080/13691058.2025.2481924
