Accessible health test company imaware has unveiled its latest at-home kit. With the launch of its Complete STI Test, imaware is branching into the direct-to-consumer segment of sexual health care. This test will also be one of imaware's first to include telehealth support services — patients with positive results will receive complimentary access to advice, treatment options and prescriptions as needed. imaware tests have always revolved around bringing accessibility to patient health in critical areas, and this test is no different.
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs), also known as sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), in the United States are becoming increasingly prevalent, and as most STIs are asymptomatic, regular STI screenings are crucial to preventing transmission and possible long-term health damage. In 2021, 2.5 million cases of chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis were reported in the U.S., following a 30% increase in the same STIs from 2015 to 2019. In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the situation by disrupting clinical services and testing frequency, thereby throwing STI data askew. Other elements harming regular screenings include clinic avoidance due to the stigma associated with STIs and lack of accessibility to testing facilities.
imaware's new test addresses some of the barriers as patients can collect their own blood and urine samples from the comfort of home, ship them to the lab with a free return label, and receive digital results in 3-5 business days. The company is also releasing the test with new, discreet packaging to offer patients more privacy. Finally, supporting the patient's health journey from start to finish, those who test positive will have access to free virtual consultations with remote physicians through imaware’s telehealth service, including prescription orders to the patient’s pharmacy as warranted.
Carefully selected based on relevance and patient needs, imaware's test screens for ten STIs, surpassing other tests on the market in its comprehensiveness at its price point: Chlamydia trachomatis (Chlamydia), Neisseria gonorrhoeae (Gonorrhea), Herpes Simplex Virus 1/2 (HSV 1/2), Treponema pallidum (Syphilis), Human Immunodeficiency Virus 1 (HIV-1), Human Immunodeficiency Virus 2 (HIV-2), Hepatitis B Virus (HBV), Hepatitis C Virus (HCV), Trichomonas vaginalis (Trichomoniasis) and Mycoplasma genitalium (Mgen). With an ever-growing selection of consumer-ready at-home tests, imaware empowers patients to take charge of their health by bringing fast, easy, affordable tests to their homes.
When asked during a recent imaware Q&A session why STIs are essential to discuss, former Chief Clinical Officer of Walgreens, Dr. Chet Robson, responded, "STIs have become increasingly important to discuss as cases continue to rise in the United States. Annual cases of gonorrhea and syphilis, for example, have increased year-over-year since 2017. To combat these numbers, we must spread awareness and encourage more people to get regularly tested for their safety and the safety of any partners they may have."
Sexually active individuals are advised to screen at least every 12 months and more frequently (every three to six months) if at higher risk due to personal factors such as having new, multiple or unknown partners. Given these recommendations and the urgency to act against rising STI rates, a test that overcomes specific barriers to testing could not come at a better time. As preventative medicine and adaptive health technology become increasingly important to the future of U.S. healthcare, imaware's expanding services are positioned to support better patient outcomes.
STI biomarkers have also been added to imaware's partner panel menu, allowing wellness companies, employers, healthcare providers, and more to introduce sexual health screening to their end user's regular check-up routine. This value-add helps protect both users and their partners while working to destigmatize the STI testing process. Proactive, preventative screenings benefit patients and partners by making the journey to better health a more accessible, personalized experience.
To learn more about imaware’s Complete STI Test, visit https://www.imaware.health/sti-std-test.
About imaware
imaware's mission is to empower the health of humanity by providing testing and technology solutions for healing at scale. imaware's patient-facing platform offers scientifically validated home-based tests that screen and monitor a wide range of conditions across men's and women’s health, nutrient deficiencies, autoimmune diseases, chronic conditions and more. In addition, imaware’s “Powered by” solution provides brands, employers and providers with fully customizable white-label tests, allowing partners to leverage 100+ biomarkers to reach more homes and improve more lives. imaware's digitally-native care model, which includes logistics, CLIA-certified and CAP-accredited laboratory analysis, telehealth support, and compliance expertise, provides patients and partners with a seamless user experience and convenient access to reliable care. Learn more at imaware.health.
