Global popstar Dua Lipa has earned a wave of support online after speaking up about the importance of safe sex and PrEP, a drug which can protect against 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.
Dua said: “I think there is a lot of stigma around [HIV and sexually transmitted infections] and I think if we can de-stigmatise what it means to get the right healthcare for HIV… I want to believe that there’s hope that it can be completely eradicated. I think sex should be fun and it should be safe.”
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The interview has gained a lot of attention across online platforms, with many fans praising Dua for speaking out about a topic normally shrouded in taboo. “Seriously, if more influential people pitch in and get the word out about PREP and regular testing, HIV-AIDS can hopefully soon be a footnote, a dark and important one, in public health history,” one Redditor wrote.
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HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) a disease which weakens your immune system and increases your risk of serious illness. It’s predominantly spread through the vaginal, anal and oral sex. While treatable, there remains no cure.
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.
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