On Inaugural National Get Tested Day, The American Sexual Health Association and Everlywell Partner to Provide Access to STI Testing
The American Sexual Health Association (ASHA), America’s nonprofit authority for sexual health information, is launching its inaugural National Get Tested Day on September 30 to advance the conversation around sexual health and break down barriers to accessing this essential health care.
There are 20 million STI cases annually, but less than 20% of sexually active people are getting tested [1][2]
On the launch of National Get Tested Day, ASHA is partnering with Everlywell, a leader in at-home STI lab testing and treatment, to give away 250 free Everlywell at-home Chlamydia and Gonorrhea Tests and raise awareness about the need for testing. Chlamydia and gonorrhea are two of the most reportable STIs in the United States, accounting for an estimated combined two million new STI cases annually. [3]
“Testing is a vital part of sexual health care, but too many people aren’t getting screened regularly,” said Lynn Barclay, ASHA President and CEO. “We know that stigma around STIs plays a huge role, as do lack of education and access. We plan to make National Get Tested Day an annual observance in the hopes of educating the public, combating stigma, and increasing access. We’re excited to partner with Everlywell this first year to address the issue of access by providing free at-home tests.”
Anyone who is sexually active can get an STI
In fact, it is estimated that 1 in 2 people will get an STI at some point in their life. [4] Many STIs have no symptoms, which means getting tested is the only way to know for sure if you have one. If left undetected and untreated, STIs can lead to long-term health issues, including infertility. [5]
“It’s crucial that people take their sexual health seriously. There is a need for education about what STIs are, as well as their symptoms, testing, and treatment,” said Gabe Gaviola, MD, MPH, Senior Medical Director at Everly Health. “We admire ASHA’s mission and join them in striving for change in the sexual health conversation. By increasing access to testing, our goal is to help identify STIs early and prevent long-term health issues.”
Even as the STI epidemic continues, misconceptions still exist
Data from the Everlywell Sexual (re)Education Survey of 1,000 U.S. adults show that misconceptions about STIs still exist; 15% of people surveyed think you can always tell when you have an STI, which is not true. For National Get Tested Day, ASHA and Everlywell will provide expert-backed educational content to debunk common misconceptions about STIs that lead to stigma around testing and diagnosis.
Visit ASHA for trusted resources, information on STI testing options, and to get a free Everlywell at-home Chlamydia and Gonorrhea Test in honor of National Get Tested Day.
References
- Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. Sexually Transmitted Infections. Accessed September 6, 2024. Medical Citation URL.
- Liddon N, Pampati S, Dunville R, Kilmer G, Steiner RJ. Annual STI Testing Among Sexually Active Adolescents. Pediatrics. 2022;149(5):e2021051893. doi:10.1542/peds.2021-051893
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. National Overview of STIs, 2022. Accessed on August 27, 2024. Medical Citation URL.
- Kaiser Family Foundation. Public Knowledge and Attitudes About Sexually Transmitted Infections. Accessed September 5, 2024. Medical Citation URL.
- Mayo Clinic. Sexually transmitted disease symptoms. Accessed September 4, 2024. Medical Citation URL.