News

'With the ease of buying a pack of gum,' kiosk, vending machine provide free HIV test

The AIDS Healthcare Foundation and FLEX Spas, a national chain of gay men's health spas, have teamed up to install an electronic vending machine that dispenses in-home HIV testing kits in an effort to promote HIV awareness and testing.

October 30, 2014

The AIDS Healthcare Foundation and FLEX Spas, a national chain of gay men's health spas, have teamed up to install an electronic vending machine that dispenses in-home HIV testing kits in an effort to promote HIV awareness and testing.

The pilot program kicked off at FLEX Spas on Melrose Avenue in Los Angeles. AHF is providing test kits for free to FLEX spa patrons.

"FLEX Spas is pleased to partner with the AIDS Healthcare Foundation on this groundbreaking effort," said Todd J. Saporito, president/CEO of FLEX Spas, in a statement. "FLEX Spas has a unique opportunity to reach consumers, influence health awareness and link our patrons to appropriate care through this initiative. AHF's strategy of delivering health services and care perfectly aligns with our business model, as champions of the marriage of testing and care."

"AHF is excited to extend the reach of modern technology by placing at-home HIV testing kits in electronic vending machines," said Lori Mizuno, director of public health for AHF. "This innovative partnership with FLEX Spas promotes convenient HIV testing 24 hours a day, including after hours when healthcare workers are not testing on site. With the ease of buying a pack of gum, high-risk populations can now access free, in-home HIV testing kits from a vending machine and learn their status within minutes."

FDA approved OraQuick In-Home HIV Test, an oral fluid rapid over-the-counter HIV test that can detect HIV-1 and HIV-2 antibodies via oral swab, is provided by OraSure Technologies. The test takes approximately 20 minutes, according to a FLEX press release.

Patrons can access the complimentary test by answering five anonymous demographic questions on an iPad kiosk. They will then receive an access code to enter into the vending machine. The tests are allotted for each access code per user. The vending machine features OraSure Technologies' OraQuick In-Home HIV Test, the FDA-approved oral fluid rapid OTC HIV test that can detect antibodies to both HIV-1 and HIV-2 with an oral swab in as little as 20 minutes. To access the complimentary testing kits, users will anonymously answer five demographic questions via an accompanying iPad kiosk and receive an access code to enter into the vending machine; users may receive up to two testing kits with each code. Each kit will include information on HIV testing and care providers, along with AHF's 24-hour care hotline, (213) 304-8151.