Universal Screening

Implement Opt-Out Screening for CT/NG in your practice today! Click here to view our comprehensive tool kit.

Take Awkward Off the Table

With risk-based screening, adolescents and young adults may not admit to being sexually active because of concerns like confidentiality.1 This means that many chlamydia and gonorrhea infections go undiagnosed and untreated.2

By choosing opt-out screening, you can notify patients that testing will be performed unless they decline. That way, you can still protect them without added pressure to disclose their sexual activity.

~1 in 2

new STIs were acquired by people aged 15—24 years old.3

5.6M

new chlamydia and gonorrhea cases are estimated every year in the U.S.4

84%

of chlamydia and gonorrhea infections 
are asymptomatic.5

Untreated Infections Can Lead to Long-term Health Issues

women each year become infertile due to undiagnosed STIs6

Ovaries Infographic

%

As many as 30% of untreated chlamydia infections progress to Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID).7

%

A study estimated that 45% of tubal factor infertility cases were caused by chlamydia infections.8

Ovaries Infographic

Don’t Miss the Risk

A universal STI screening strategy is effective, equitable, and easy to implement.9,10 This is crucial, because even among those who report abstinence, cases of chlamydia and gonorrhea are often found.2

Care Icon

Detect care opportunities that might otherwise be missed.

STI Virus Vector

Decrease STI prevalence and long-term complications.

Money Down Icon

Decrease total cost of healthcare.

Ovaries Vector

Eliminate infertility due to undiagnosed infections.

Implementing a Universal Screening Protocol

This strategy targets all individuals in the highest-risk age group (15–24), regardless of reported sexual activity—aligning with USPSTF and CDC guidance.9,11,12

1

Flag all patients aged 15–24 as eligible for testing at check-in unless having tested negative in the past 12 months or having declined screening.9

2

Communicate clearly: “We are going to test you today.” No awkward questions. No assumptions.

In many cases, STI screening is covered by the 
Affordable Care Act. For patients, this may mean:13

No Copay_icon

No co-pay

No Deductable_icon

No deductible

No OOP cost_icon

No out-of-pocket cost

Patient and doctor

Primed to Protect Patients’ Reproductive Health

Even though guidelines from the CDC, ACOG, AAP, USPSTF and AAFP all recommend screening for sexually active women ages 16–24, only 59% are screened annually for chlamydia.14

Let’s Connect

Have a question or need to talk to a Hologic team member? We’re here to help.

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References

1. Leichliter JS. Confidentiality Issues and Use of Sexually Transmitted Disease Services Among Sexually Experienced Persons Aged 15–25 Years — United States, 2013–2015. CDC. MMWR. 2017;66(9):237-241.

2. Allison BA, Park RV, Walters EM, Perry MF. Increased Detection of Gonorrhea and Chlamydia After Implementation of a Universal Screening Protocol in a Pediatric Primary Care Clinic. Sex Transm Dis. 2022 Feb 1;49(2):117-122. doi: 10.1097/OLQ.0000000000001534.

3. Kreisel, et al. Sexually Transmitted Infections Among US Women and Men: Prevalence and Incidence Estimates, 2018, Sexually Transmitted Diseases: April 2021-Volume 48-Issue 4-p 208-214 doi: 10.1097/OLQ.0000000000001355.

4. CDC. Sexually transmitted infections prevalence, incidence, and cost estimates in the united states. Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs). Published 2024. Accessed November 24, 2025. https://www.cdc.gov/sti/php/communication-resources/prevalence-incidence-and-cost-estimates.html.

5. Detels R, Green AM, Klausner JD, et al. The incidence and correlates of symptomatic and asymptomatic Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae infections in selected populations in five countries. Sex Transm Dis. 2011;38(6):503-509.

6. Sexually Transmitted Infections among Young Americans | National Prevention Information Network | Connecting public health professionals with trusted information and each other. npin.cdc.gov. Published 2016. Accessed November 24, 2025. https://npin.cdc.gov/publication/sexually-transmitted-infections-among-young-americans.

7. Swain GR, et al. Decision analysis: point-of-care Chlamydia testing vs. laboratory-based methods. Clin Med Res. 2004;2(1):29-35. doi:10.3121/ cmr.2.1.29.

8. Price MJ, et al. How Much Tubal Factor Infertility is Caused by Chlamydia? Estimates Based on Serological Evidence Corrected for Sensitivity and Specificity. Sex Transm Dis. 2012;39(3):608-613. doi:0.1097/OLQ.0b013e3182572475.

9. Owusu-Edusei K, et al. Cost- Effectiveness of Opt-Out Chlamydia Testing for High-Risk Young Women in the U.S. Am J Prev Med. 2016;51(2):216-24. doi:10.1016/j.amepre.2016.01.007.

10. Tomcho MM, Lou Y, O’Leary SC, Rinehart DJ, Thomas-Gale T, Douglas CM, Wu FJ, Penny L, Federico SG, Frost HM. An Intervention to Improve Chlamydia and Gonorrhea Testing Among Adolescents in Primary Care. Pediatrics. 2021 Nov;148(5):e2020027508. doi: 10.1542/peds.2020-027508.

11. CDC. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report Sexually Transmitted Infections Treatment Guidelines, 2021 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention MMWR Editorial and Production Staff (Serials) MMWR Editorial Board.; 2021. Accessed November 24, 2025. https://www.cdc.gov/std/treatment-guidelines/STI-Guidelines-2021.pdf.

12. US Preventive Services Task Force. Screening for Chlamydia and Gonorrhea: US Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement. JAMA. 2021;326(10):949–956. doi:10.1001/jama.2021.14081.

13. CDC. STD Preventive Service Coverage Tables. High Quality Care – Access and Delivery. Published May 2, 2024. Accessed November 24, 2025. https://www.cdc.gov/high-quality-care/hcp/resources/std-preventive-service-coverage.html.

14. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. 2020. Sexually Transmitted Infections National Strategic Plan for the United States: 2021–2025. Washington, DC.