State health officials have unveiled a new plan to counter a sharp rise in sexually transmitted infections, outlining steps to expand testing, speed treatment, and target prevention to communities seeing the fastest growth. The announcement, which mirrors national trends in increasing rates of syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia, frames the surge as a preventable public health challenge that requires coordinated action across clinics, schools, and community organizations.
The response includes broader access to screening-through community sites, mobile units, and at-home options-along with enhanced partner notification services, streamlined pathways to same-day treatment, and renewed public awareness campaigns. The state says it will prioritize outreach in rural areas and among groups disproportionately affected, strengthen prenatal screening to reduce congenital syphilis, and invest in data systems to track outbreaks in real time. Health departments, providers, and local partners are slated to receive additional resources as the plan rolls out in the coming months.
Table of Contents
- State Expands Testing Access With Mobile Clinics Free At Home Kits And Extended Clinic Hours
- Clinical Advisory Urges Routine Syphilis Screening In Pregnancy And Broader Testing For High Risk Populations
- Funding Directs Support To Community Clinics Data Reporting And Antibiotic Supply Including Expedited Partner Therapy
- Public Campaign Elevates Condom Use Vaccination And Doxy PEP With Multilingual Outreach And Confidential Services
- To Wrap It Up
State Expands Testing Access With Mobile Clinics Free At Home Kits And Extended Clinic Hours
The Department of Health is rolling out a network of on-the-go health units to bring screening directly to communities with limited care options, offering same-day tests for HIV, syphilis, chlamydia, and gonorrhea, on-site treatment for many infections, and discreet counseling. Bilingual nurses and community health workers will rotate through transit hubs, campuses, rural town centers, and major events to remove cost, transportation, and scheduling barriers. All services are confidential, with no insurance or ID required, and results are delivered through secure systems to protect privacy.
- On-the-go health units: rotating stops posted weekly on the state locator, with rapid testing and treatment supplies on board.
- No-cost home testing kits: mail delivery or pickup at libraries and pharmacies, prepaid return shipping, and results via a secure portal.
- Longer hours at public clinics: evenings and weekends added, with walk-in slots set aside for symptomatic patients.
- Telehealth support: clinicians available for result review, prescriptions, and partner services.
- No-cost access: testing, treatment, and prevention tools covered for the uninsured; language access and ADA accommodations provided.
Officials say the access push is paired with targeted outreach to colleges, nightlife districts, shelters, and agricultural work sites, plus distribution of condoms, PrEP/PEP referrals, and expedited partner therapy where permitted. The initiative will monitor turnaround times, positivity rates, and linkage-to-care metrics to gauge impact while maintaining strict data protections. Residents can consult the online map for nearby options or request discreet delivery of home kits; clinics are also piloting ride vouchers and on-site child care to further reduce barriers.
Clinical Advisory Urges Routine Syphilis Screening In Pregnancy And Broader Testing For High Risk Populations
State health officials have issued a new clinical directive responding to a surge in sexually transmitted infections, prioritizing syphilis prevention in maternal and infant health. Providers are urged to implement universal prenatal screening at the first prenatal visit, with third-trimester rescreening at 28-32 weeks and again at delivery in high-burden areas. To accelerate diagnosis and treatment, the advisory encourages rapid testing when laboratory turnaround is delayed, immediate treatment initiation for positive results in pregnancy, and tighter coordination with public health for case investigation and partner notification.
- Opt-out testing in prenatal care, emergency departments, correctional health, and community clinics
- Reflex testing protocols to reduce missed or delayed diagnoses
- Expedited reporting of reactive tests to local health departments
- Integration of screening prompts in EHRs and performance monitoring for prenatal providers
- Direct linkage to treatment and partner services to interrupt transmission
The advisory broadens screening beyond prenatal care, calling for targeted outreach and routine testing among high-risk populations, including people with multiple or anonymous partners, men who have sex with men, individuals with HIV or on PrEP, those experiencing homelessness or recent incarceration, and persons engaged in transactional sex or affected by substance use. Providers are advised to offer screening every 3-6 months based on risk, co-test for HIV and other STIs, deploy mobile and community-based services, and reduce barriers through same-day results, no-cost options, and culturally responsive care. The goal: faster detection, earlier treatment, and fewer congenital and community-acquired infections through consistent, data-driven testing practices.
Funding Directs Support To Community Clinics Data Reporting And Antibiotic Supply Including Expedited Partner Therapy
State health officials said new dollars will flow to frontline providers to tighten surveillance amid climbing STI rates. The package targets the infrastructure gap that slows case confirmation and partner notification, with support for modernized interfaces, analytics, and data reporting safeguards designed to speed decisions while protecting patient privacy.
- EHR and LIMS upgrades to enable automated, standards-based lab reporting (ELR/HL7) to the state registry
- Rapid onboarding to surveillance platforms, with validation checks to reduce incomplete or duplicate records
- Timeliness incentives for clinics meeting sub-48-hour reporting benchmarks on positive results
- Technical assistance for rural and under-resourced sites, including secure data exchange and dashboard training
- Improvements in demographic completeness (race/ethnicity and SOGI) using culturally responsive collection scripts
Treatment access forms the second pillar, with officials outlining measures to secure a stable flow of recommended antibiotics and to scale Expedited Partner Therapy (EPT) where permitted by state law. The plan emphasizes equitable distribution, operational flexibility for providers, and real-time visibility into inventory to prevent missed treatment opportunities.
- Pooled procurement and buffer stock of key therapies (e.g., ceftriaxone, doxycycline, benzathine penicillin G), subject to availability
- Priority allocation to high-incidence ZIP codes, mobile outreach teams, and school-based health centers
- Standing orders with same-day pharmacy pickup and courier options for remote clinics
- EPT starter kits with bilingual instructions and provider guidance on documentation and counseling
- Reimbursement support for safety-net clinics and waived costs for uninsured or underinsured encounters
- Supply dashboards and shortage alerts to coordinate redistribution before stockouts occur
Public Campaign Elevates Condom Use Vaccination And Doxy PEP With Multilingual Outreach And Confidential Services
State health officials unveiled a targeted prevention push to blunt rising infection rates, emphasizing proven tools and easier access statewide. The plan expands distribution networks and clinic capacity while aligning with current clinical guidance on post-exposure options for those at higher risk.
- Free condom distribution at libraries, bars, shelters, campuses, and mobile vans, with discrete pickup points.
- No-cost vaccinations (HPV, hepatitis B, mpox) at pharmacies, community clinics, and pop-up events with evening and weekend hours.
- Doxycycline PEP offered for eligible patients consistent with CDC guidance, with same-day prescribing via sexual health clinics and telehealth.
- Rapid testing and treatment linkage within 24-48 hours, supported by expanded lab capacity and courier transport.
- Data-driven deployment to hotspots, including event-based outreach and on-site services at large gatherings.
Officials said the campaign is designed to meet people where they are, removing language and privacy barriers and building trust through community partnerships. Messaging is tailored and delivered across neighborhood channels that residents already use.
- Multilingual outreach with materials and navigators in Spanish, Mandarin, Vietnamese, Arabic, Haitian Creole, Portuguese, and more.
- Confidential services at walk-in sites, discreet pickup for prevention supplies, and opt-in text reminders; anonymous screening where permitted by law.
- Community-led engagement through LGBTQ+ centers, nightlife venues, faith networks, and migrant support organizations, using trained peer ambassadors.
- Digital placements on dating apps, transit screens, and local radio, plus a 24/7 hotline and chat for referrals and appointments.
- Zero-barrier access with transportation vouchers, fee waivers, no insurance requirements, and no-ID options to reduce stigma and delay.
To Wrap It Up
As the plan moves from briefing room to implementation, health officials say they will prioritize prevention, testing and rapid treatment while expanding outreach to communities with the greatest barriers to care. The health department plans to publish regular updates on case trends and program benchmarks as the rollout progresses.
Whether those steps will slow the rise in infections will hinge on sustained funding, coordination with local providers and public participation. For now, officials are urging residents to seek testing, talk with their clinicians about risk, and use available vaccines and treatments, with more details expected on the department’s website in the coming weeks.