Free COVID-19 Tests and Health Supplies Available at 51 LA County Kiosks

Starting this week, residents across Los Angeles County can access free health supplies, including COVID-19 self-test kits, overdose reversal drugs, STI prevention products, and condoms, at 51 Community Health Station kiosks. Originally established to distribute rapid COVID-19 antigen tests, the program has expanded in response to ongoing public health challenges such as the opioid overdose crisis, rising HIV cases, and high STI rates. Overdose deaths increased by 48% in the first five months of the pandemic compared to 2019, while nearly 90,000 STI cases were reported in 2023.

The kiosks are strategically placed in underserved communities, including pharmacies, health centers, community spaces, and homeless shelters, to improve access to essential health resources. Notably, 80% of individuals utilizing these supplies have reported experiencing homelessness. Some kiosks are located within housing programs managed by nonprofits like People Concern, ensuring privacy and ease of access.

Available products include COVID-19 testing kits (containing two tests), Naloxone for overdose reversal, fentanyl test strips, condoms, and internal (female) condoms. Users may opt to complete a short, anonymous survey to provide demographic data, but it is not mandatory.

Kiosks are restocked weekly or as needed, with automated sensors alerting officials to inventory depletion. Funding for this initiative comes from a CDC grant supporting COVID outreach efforts, with additional subsidies from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.

To locate the nearest kiosk, residents can consult the public health department's online map. Barbara Ferrer, director of the LA County Public Health Department, emphasized the importance of making these supplies accessible to support community health and save lives.