STI Testing at Home - tbd

Addressing the Rising Rates of STIs with At-Home Testing

While conversations surrounding sexual health are becoming more open, challenges in STI testing persist. TBD Health is introducing a novel approach, offering convenient at-home testing specifically designed for individuals with vaginas. The company provides a five-panel “check yourself out” kit and has recently launched an in-person clinic located in Las Vegas.

The Growing STI Crisis in the United States

Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicates a continuous increase in STI rates across the United States, reaching a record high in 2021 for the sixth consecutive year. Approximately one in five individuals in the U.S. currently has an STI, with a significant proportion – nearly half – being young people between the ages of 15 and 24.

These infections result in substantial financial burdens, totaling $16 billion in direct medical expenses. TBD Health is therefore operating within a market that, unfortunately, is not experiencing a decline.

TBD Health’s Mission: Empowering Accessible Screening

“We identified a critical need for improved access to screening, which has actually decreased in recent times,” explains Stephanie Estey, co-founder of TBD Health. “Factors contributing to this include the impact of COVID-19, leading to reluctance in visiting doctor’s offices, and reductions in federal funding.”

“Our company was founded to deliver empowering STI screening that seamlessly integrates into people’s daily lives, beginning with our at-home kit. We intentionally adopted a different methodology than most traditional medical companies, aiming to create a less clinical and less stressful experience,” Estey continues. “We wanted to ensure individuals felt in control of their screening process. We initiated a pilot program earlier this year across six states.”

Service Availability and Expansion Plans

Currently, TBD Health’s at-home testing services are available in Washington, Arizona, Nevada, Massachusetts, Florida, and Connecticut. The company is actively working towards expanding its reach to additional states, though regulatory hurdles present ongoing challenges to achieving nationwide coverage.

Treatment and Clinical Support

“Should an individual receive a positive test result, we are equipped to provide treatment for the majority of detected infections. Our clinician will schedule a consultation to discuss a personalized care plan – a far cry from receiving generic instructions,” clarifies Estey. “For many infections requiring antibiotics, we can directly prescribe the necessary medication.”

Maintaining a clinical team within each state of operation is essential for fulfilling this commitment. “We have a medical team stationed in each state, responsible for reviewing all results, authorizing lab requests, and processing results or issuing prescriptions. We are currently operating in six states, with rapid expansion planned for 2022.”

The At-Home Testing Process

TBD Health’s testing encompasses the same STIs as a standard doctor’s visit, but utilizes a self-collection method. This involves a self-collected vaginal swab, a urine sample, and a blood sample.

The blood sample collection method is particularly noteworthy. Rather than requiring a traditional venipuncture, it employs a finger-prick test. A small blood sample is collected on a specialized card for analysis.

Dried Blood Spot Technology

“We utilize a technique known as dried blood spot analysis,” explains Daphney Chen, co-founder of TBD Health. “This involves saturating circles on a piece of paper with a small blood sample obtained via a finger-prick lancet – a method similar to that used by individuals with diabetes for daily self-monitoring.”

“This card allows us to test for a wide range of blood-based STIs, including HIV and syphilis. The technology was originally developed for newborn screening in hospitals, as obtaining blood samples from infants can be difficult. It’s remarkably stable during transport, making it ideal for at-home testing.”

The in-person clinic TBD Health opened in Las Vegas, with its at-home testing boxes on the wall in the background. Image Credits: TBD Health

Accuracy and Reliability

The company asserts that its testing maintains the accuracy of conventional STI testing procedures.

“In laboratory testing, accuracy is assessed through two key metrics: sensitivity and specificity. We conducted thorough vetting of our lab partners, ensuring their sensitivity and specificity are comparable to traditional methods, guaranteeing equivalent accuracy,” states Estey. “All of this can be done from the comfort and privacy of your own home, with support from our clinical care team.”

Las Vegas Care Hub and Customer Insights

To complement its at-home services, TBD Health opened a care hub in Las Vegas. This facility serves as a platform for gaining a deeper understanding of customer needs, with the aim of enhancing the overall service experience.

Focus on Individuals with Vaginas

Currently, TBD Health’s services are primarily focused on individuals with vaginas. The team explains this decision is rooted in the unique health considerations faced by this demographic, including the potential impact of STIs on fertility.

“Our primary focus is on serving women and vagina owners at this time. We are still evaluating when to expand our services to include individuals with penises. While individuals with penises contribute to STI transmission, women often bear a greater burden, not only in terms of cost and stigma, but also regarding potential fertility complications. STIs are the leading preventable cause of infertility in the U.S.,” Chen emphasizes.

“As we consider expanding our focus, we want to ensure we are providing appropriate and effective care. We’ve seen numerous examples of companies failing in this regard – simply changing the color of a product to pink is not sufficient,” adds Estey. “TBD Health is committed to a deep understanding of the needs of individuals with vaginas, and we want to approach serving individuals with penises with the same level of thoughtfulness and dedication.”