Loading...

Innovations and Solutions for Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) in the U.S.

Read about the STI landscape, innovations for increased access to STI testing, improved sexual health care, and reduced barriers for vulnerable populations.

“More tools are desperately needed in the nation’s fight against Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs). Ongoing increases in reported STIs show no signs of slowing without long-term investment and game-changing innovations in STI prevention, rapid diagnostics, vaccine development, and treatment.” [1]

This is neither fear mongering nor a headline from the 1980s.

This is an attributable Mena, MD, MPH, Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Division of STD Prevention in a 2023 press release. [1]

In honor of STI awareness month this April, let’s take a look at the current state of the STI landscape and new innovations that will serve as a catalyst for increased access to STI testing, improved sexual health care, and reduced barriers to care for vulnerable populations.

The Prevalence of STIs in the U.S.

The CDC’s Sexually Transmitted Disease Surveillance, 2020 report reveals roughly 2.4 million cases of chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis were reported in the U.S. with gonorrhea cases up 45% and syphilis cases up 52% from 2016. [2] The CDC claims COVID-19 was a significant hindrance in STI surveillance and prevention efforts, and 2020 data reveals that as the pandemic roared on, public health infrastructure continued to feel the strain, struggling to keep up with accurate STI data and reporting. [2]

The CDC identifies several populations who may face a higher risk of contracting STIs in the U.S., as well as common barriers to care many of these populations face. Some of these barriers include poverty, low education levels, and minorities who fear discrimination by healthcare providers and distrust the healthcare system.

The CDC recognizes certain populations such as adolescents, men who have sex with men (MSM), and non-Hispanic Black persons oftentimes experience greater disparities in accessing quality sexual health care. [4] By acknowledging inequities in STI rates we can collaborate in addressing systemic inequities that result in the continued burden of STIs nationwide. [4]

The Importance of STI Testing

STI testing is the only way for people to know for sure if they have an STI. [5] Easy access to STI testing allows individuals to seek out effective treatment earlier, which is key for preventing health consequences from long-term infection.[5]

Individuals who know their STI status also gain valuable information to be able to communicate with sex partners, allowing them to seek out preventative options like pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in the case of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection or STI screening for themselves to make sure they catch potential transmission early. Understanding your status helps curb the transmission of infection. [8]

STI Screening Recommendations

CDC screening recommendations vary depending on the STI, but there are a few common risk factors that are taken into consideration when determining how frequently people should seek out routine testing: [6]

● Sexual activities - Individuals engaging in sex with multiple partners and are not actively using barrier methods during sex such as condoms, oral dams or diaphragms may be recommended more frequent testing. ● STI history - Individuals who have been diagnosed with an STI in the past. ● Age - Routine STI screening is recommended for certain age groups that are at increased risk for STI transmission. ● Pregnancy status - Pregnant women may pass an untreated STI on to their fetus. ● Geographic location - Individuals who live in areas of high STI prevalence.

To view the CDC’s full STI screening recommendations, you can view them here.

Current STI Screening Pathways

In response to the alarming transmission rates and large gaps in the current screening pathways of STIs the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has implemented a National Strategic Plan for the United States for 2021-2025. This plan envisions the United States as a place where STIs are prevented, and every person has access to quality STI prevention, care, and treatment without the fear of stigma or discrimination. [7] This strategic plan offers a roadmap aimed at achieving five main goals: [7]

1. Prevent new STIs
2. Improve the health of people by reducing adverse outcomes of STIs
3. Accelerate progress in STI research, technology, and innovation
4. Reduce STI-related health disparities and health inequities
5. Achieve integrated, coordinated efforts that address the STI epidemic

This plan recognizes the inequities and healthcare disparities in the current system, with many communities facing overwhelming barriers to care. These include geographic location, lack of access to transportation, and stigma surrounding STIs in social circles and in healthcare facilities.

The plan also calls for “innovative solutions and approaches to address the ongoing and emerging challenges to STI prevention and control, including expanding the types of community and clinical sites that address STIs and developing vaccines, point-of-care diagnostic tools, and therapeutics.” [7]

binx health offers a new way…

binx health is a technology and diagnostics company on a mission to support organizations in their efforts to address STI transmission and offer high-quality sexual healthcare to their populations.

We offer two platforms designed to help our partners bring care to their populations in a convenient, accessible way to help bridge the care gap.

binx io

The binx io is FDA-cleared, CLIA-waived, Point-Of-Care (POC) instrument that uses PCR technology to provide rapid, accurate results (~30 minutes) for Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) for both male and female patients. This POC platform can perform CLIA-waived tests, but the facility needs a CLIA waiver. to run rapid STI testing in walk-in community health centers, retail pharmacies, and other CLIA-waived sites, providing accurate results in the same visit. The quick turnaround time allows healthcare providers to accurately diagnose and treat patients before they leave the clinic, decreasing the number of patients lost to follow-up and reducing the rate of empirical antibiotic treatment. [9]

binx everywhere

The binx everywhere digital platform is increasing access to STI screenings by breaking down barriers to care; offering discreet, convenient self-collection kits to populations in a location that is convenient for them. Self-collection kits are mailed in and samples are processed through our network of partner laboratories.

To learn more about these two platforms and how you may be able to partner with us to offer patient-centric screening options to your populations, contact us directly.

[1] https://www.cdc.gov/nchhstp/newsroom/2023/croi-statement.html [2] https://www.cdc.gov/std/statistics/2020/default.htm [3] https://www.cdc.gov/std/health-disparities/default.htm [4] https://www.cdc.gov/std/statistics/2020/overview.htm#:~:text=In%202020%2C%20over%20half%20(53,among%20non%2DHispanic%20White%20persons. [5] https://www.cdc.gov/std/saw/gyt/knowthefacts.htm#:~:text=You%20can't%20tell%20if,still%20think%20about%20STI%20prevention. [6] https://www.cdc.gov/std/treatment-guidelines/screening-recommendations.htm https://www.cdc.gov/std/treatment-guidelines/default.htm.
[7] https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/STI-National-Strategic-Plan-2021-2025.pdf [8] https://www.cdc.gov/std/prevention/screeningreccs.htm [9] Kemp, L. (2022, Sep 20). Implementation of a "Test and Treat" model for Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae infection at Planned Parenthood Keystone [Conference Presentation]. CDC STD Prevention Conference, Online.

STD: Sexually Transmitted Disease PCR: Polymerase chain reaction CLIA: Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments

binx everywhere products may not be available for sale outside the U.S