Barriers to Expedited Partner Therapy

Expedited partner therapy is an intervention that was intended to address the growing public health crisis of sexually transmitted infections in the United States. Chlamydia, gonorrhea, and trichomoniasis infections are eligible for expedited partner treatment without a visit with a provider. Reduction of reinfection rates is key to reducing the incidence of poor gynecologic and reproductive outcomes along with the spread of infection among at-risk populations. Expedited partner therapy has been legalized federally, but not all states have adopted this method. The 46 states that have face additional clinical, social, and financial barriers to care.