May 7 2024Washington University School of Medicine
In a bid to reduce disparities and improve overall sexual health in the region, the Division of Infectious Diseases at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis will offer expanded STI testing and treatment services at its Village Square clinic, located in north St. Louis County, a historically medically underserved area. The effort is supported by a five-year, $2.
Part of the problem is that the parts of the St. Louis region with the highest rates of STIs — north St. Louis city and county — are also places with minimal access to sexual health-care. In the absence of specialized clinics, many people resort to hospital emergency departments for STI testing and treatment. While emergency departments can and do provide such services, they are not equipped to offer comprehensive STI care, such as follow-up care, contact tracing, and prevention education.