Expanding access to STI care with free of charge, convenient services in sexual health walk-in clinics

<b>Background:</b> Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are a long-standing public health issue with increasing incidence in recent years even though most STIs can be effectively treated or even cured with inexpensive medications.<b>Purpose/Design:</b> In this manuscript, we discuss factors that contribute with this concerning scenario, including modifications in the model of STI care in the United States; barriers for diagnosis and treatment; and scarcity of targeted STI prevention messages. We then describe the approach adopted by AIDS Healthcare Foundation to mitigate STI trends, with a focus on sexual health Wellness Centers.<b>Results:</b> The main characteristics of this program include free and convenient services with large volume capacity, sex-positive culture, advertisement of available resources, and accessibility to key populations at higher risk for STI acquisition.<b>Conclusions:</b> This experience could be adapted and expanded to other settings, supporting the public health mission of controlling the spread and detrimental outcomes of STIs.