Public Health in the Rockies 2026

Background / Purpose: Rural communities face significant barriers to STI care, including limited local services, transportation challenges, cost, and stigma. In Grand County, the public health department is the only provider of free/reduced-cost sexual and reproductive health services. We aim to evaluate whether implementing on-site (point-of-care) gonorrhea and chlamydia (GC/CT) testing in a local public health department can improve timeliness of care and expand equitable access. We hypothesize that same-day testing and treatment will improve clinical outcomes and patient engagement. We will also consider the impact on clinic efficiency through reduced reliance on specimen transport and external lab processing.

Methods: A rural public health department will implement on-site GC/CT testing beginning June 2026 as part of comprehensive reproductive health services. Participants will include patients seeking STI testing and related care. Procedures will include same-visit specimen collection, rapid testing using a CLIA-waived platform, and immediate treatment when indicated. Data will be collected through the electronic medical record and program tracking tools, including visit volume, demographics, insurance status, language preference, and time to treatment. Descriptive analyses will assess changes in access and care delivery.

Results: Results are pending, as implementation will begin in June 2026. Anticipated outcomes include increased uptake of STI testing, reduced time to diagnosis and treatment, and decreased barriers to follow-up, particularly among uninsured and non-English speaking patients. We also will assess clinic efficiency through reduced reliance on specimen transport and external lab processing.

Implications: On-site GC/CT testing has the potential to improve access and reducing disparities via timely, patient-centered education, support, and treatment.

(Note: we could do a 30-minute presentation if preferred, however, there is a lot to present!)