Simple HealthKit has launched an expanded at-home sexual health kit, an at-home test for five common STIs: chlamydia, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis, HIV, and syphilis. The test is simple to use, easily available, inclusive, and affordable, and includes a telehealth visit and aftercare for those who test positive for one or more conditions. Tests are processed at Simple HealthKit’s CLIA-certified labs within 24 hours of receipt.
CDC data released in April 2023 revealed that reported cases of most types of STIs increased from 2020 to 2021, and that STIs continue to disproportionally affect gay and bisexual men, younger people, and Black/African American and American Indian/Alaska Native people. Syphilis rates in particular surged, increasing nearly 32% according to the CDC. To address these challenges, the CDC recommends, “Making STI testing and treatment more accessible, including through the development and approval of point-of-care rapid tests and self-tests.” In 2019, the CDC announced a new initiative to eliminate HIV in the U.S. by 2030.
Recent data shows that 80% of the country lacks adequate access to healthcare, and that many of these areas are rural. 1 in 2 sexually active people will contract an STD/STI by age 25, and many are asymptomatic and unaware. This can lead to dire consequences: 10%-15% of women with untreated chlamydia, for instance, will develop PID, a leading cause of infertility. Simple HealthKit aims to make it easy and affordable to test for common conditions such as STIs, respiratory conditions, and diabetes.
“STIs, if left untreated, can have lifelong and irreversible effects on your health – but are often easy to remedy if identified early on,” says Dr Kerry-Ann Kelly, medical director of Innovation & Health Equity at Simple HealthKit. “With the lack of care access nationwide, Simple HealthKit’s focus is on health equity and helping people in all communities – especially under-resourced ones – take proactive steps to improve their health.
“The ability to test for these five conditions all at once and from the privacy of their own home is crucial to helping people take charge of their sexual health. Simple HealthKit is proud to enable that with the first human-centric approach to connecting the dots between test and follow-up care.”
Simple HealthKit’s new at-home test for five common STIs is available now at the company’s website. The company’s at-home tests may be covered by HSA/FSA programs.
