The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is touting the new Home Test to Treat program, a virtual community health intervention that provides free COVID-19 health services and treatments in selected communities.
“At-home testing for COVID-19 is now widely available in the United States, as are antiviral treatments, and this program combines easy home access to both,” National Institutes of Health National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB) Director Bruce Tromberg said. “The Home Test to Treat program allows those who are sick an alternative to venturing out for testing or treatment, potentially reducing the spread of COVID-19 in the community.”
The initiative involves services that include at-home rapid tests, telehealth sessions, and at-home treatments. It is a collaboration with the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) at the Department of Health and Human Services.
Local and state officials in Berks County, Pa., will be the first to pilot the Home Test to Treat program later this month, with up to 8,000 eligible residents anticipated to participate in the program.
Telehealth services provider eMed will implement the Home Test to Treat program, with officials noting their services are provided via a contract awarded by NIBIB contractor VentureWell and additional communities nationwide will be selected to participate based on the level of community need; access to healthcare treatment; expected COVID-19 infection rates; and socio-economic factors.
According to the NIH, Home Test to Treat will promote equitable solutions to identify best practices that may save lives in this and future pandemics.