Connecting Individuals to Medical Care and STI Services After Incarceration

July 30, 2026 | Grace Lee, Julia Greenspan

Individuals leaving correctional facilities often face significant challenges in accessing health care services after release, including sexual health services and STI-related care. ASTHO identified a need for a practical, stigma-reducing resource that supports continuity of care and helps connect people to STI and health care services following incarceration.

“Staying Healthy After Release: Getting Medical Care and STI Services” is a customizable, double-sided resource that helps individuals prepare for release. State and territorial health departments can tailor it with jurisdiction-specific information and provide it in print form to correctional facilities for distribution. The document is designed to encourage engagement with both STI services and health care more broadly, recognizing that people transitioning back into the community often face a variety of immediate health priorities. It includes a tear-off section that individuals can complete and share with their health care providers to help facilitate conversations about STI testing, treatment history, and any needed follow-up care after release.

This resource supports jurisdictions in promoting continuity of care after release by providing guidance on:

• The importance of seeking and establishing care with a trusted health care provider.
• Navigating health care coverage and resources, such as Medicaid enrollment support.
• Connecting individuals with state and local health departments, community health centers, and other health care resources that offer confidential and affordable services.
• Facilitating communication about STIs between individuals leaving correctional facilities and health care providers in the community.
• Promoting patient-centered sexual health care by providing information on STI testing, STI prevention, and risk reduction strategies.
• Reducing stigma and empowering individuals to seek care, advocate for their health needs, and support overall well-being after release. 

This resource aims to strengthen connections between correctional facilities and health care, reduce stigma, and promote positive health outcomes for individuals transitioning from correctional facilities back into their communities.

Get the Resource (automatic Word download)

Reviewed by Meredith Allen, DrPH, MS, Vice President, Health Security; Kate Petersen, MPH, Senior Director, Infectious Disease Infrastructure & Policy.