Laboratory Perspective on Racial Disparities in Sexually Transmitted Infections.

Rates of sexually transmitted infections (STI) have risen steadily in recent years, and racial and ethnic minorities have borne the disproportionate burden of STI increases in the United States. Historical inequities and social determinants of health are significant contributors to observed disparities and affect access to diagnostic testing for STI. Public health systems rely heavily on laboratory medicine professionals for diagnosis and reporting of STI. Therefore, it is imperative that clinicians and laboratory professionals be familiar with issues underlying disparities in STI incidence and barriers to reliable diagnostic testing. In this mini-review, we will summarize contributors to racial/ethnic disparity in STI, highlight current epidemiologic trends for gonorrhea, chlamydia, and syphilis, discuss policy issues that affect laboratory and public health funding, and identify specific analytic challenges for diagnostic laboratories. Racial and ethnic disparities in STI in the US are striking and are due to complex interactions of myriad social determinants of health. Budgetary cuts for laboratory and public health services and competition for resources during the COVID-19 pandemic are major challenges. Laboratory professionals must be aware of these underlying issues and work to maximize efforts to ensure equitable access to diagnostic STI testing for all persons, particularly those most disproportionately burdened by STI.

Lieberman JA ，Cannon CA ，Bourassa LA 《-》

Health Center Testing for SARS-CoV-2 During the COVID-19 Pandemic - United States, June 5-October 2, 2020.

Romero L ，Pao LZ ，Clark H ，Riley C ，Merali S ，Park M ，Eggers C ，Campbell S ，Bui C ，Bolton J ，Le X ，Fanfair RN ，Rose M ，Hinckley A ，Siza C ... -  《-》

Accuracy in Measuring Racial Disparities during the COVID-19 Pandemic Needs Improvement.

Patel AGM ，Hsiao CJ ，Fasanya HO ，Stoffel M ，Lyon ME ... -  《-》

Racial and Ethnic Disparities in COVID-19 Incidence by Age, Sex, and Period Among Persons Aged <25 Years - 16 U.S. Jurisdictions, January 1-December 31, 2020.

Van Dyke ME ，Mendoza MCB ，Li W ，Parker EM ，Belay B ，Davis EM ，Quint JJ ，Penman-Aguilar A ，Clarke KEN ... -  《-》

Disproportionate Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Racial and Ethnic Minorities.

Boserup B ，McKenney M ，Elkbuli A 《-》