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Los Angeles County has deployed 51 Community Health Station kiosks offering free COVID-19 self-test kits, fentanyl test strips, and other health supplies to residents across the region. The self-service stations, accessible seven days a week, aim to increase access to essential health resources, particularly in communities with limited healthcare options.
Initially established to distribute COVID-19 antigen tests, the program has expanded to address multiple public health crises affecting the county. Officials cite alarming statistics as motivation for the expansion, including a 48% increase in accidental drug overdose deaths during the first five months of the COVID-19 pandemic compared with the same period in 2019.
"Having free public health supplies available to residents seven days a week through the self-service Community Health Stations makes it easier to access important products that support health and save lives," Barbara Ferrer, director of the county public health department, said in a news release.
The kiosks provide COVID-19 self-test kits containing two tests per box, naloxone to reverse opioid overdoses, fentanyl test strip kits, traditional male condoms with lubricants, and internal condoms. Health officials strategically placed the stations in locations with lower access to healthcare resources, including pharmacies, health centers, community centers, and homeless shelters.
Public health data indicates the kiosks are reaching vulnerable populations. According to county officials, 80% of people who have used the health supplies from these stations have self-reported as experiencing homelessness.
Ten kiosks are located at program sites and interim housing locations operated by the People Concern, a social services nonprofit. These stations are positioned in common areas inside buildings to balance accessibility with privacy.
"By removing barriers to access, the kiosks empower individuals to protect their health and make informed choices, while reinforcing our broader goal of meeting people where they are and supporting their well-being without judgment," Edgar Aguilar, spokesperson for the People Concern, said.
The People Concern locations hosting the kiosks include Kensington Campus in Lancaster, Samoshel in Santa Monica, The Vagabond in L.A., and El Puente in L.A. Another kiosk is stationed next to the pharmacy at the Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center in Downey.
Alba Ibarra, spokesperson for the medical center, noted the strategic placement serves patients transitioning back to community living. "As patients transition from the hospital back into everyday life, the stations offer easy, ongoing access to essential health supplies without the need for appointments or travel," Ibarra said.
The expanded scope of the kiosks reflects the county's response to multiple ongoing public health concerns. In addition to the pandemic, officials point to what they describe as "the worst overdose crisis in history, the continued HIV epidemic and high rates of STIs in the county" as reasons for including overdose prevention and sexual health products.
In 2023, L.A. County recorded 89,887 sexually transmitted infection cases reported to the public health department, according to officials. By providing free condoms and other preventive supplies, the program aims to reduce these numbers through improved access to protection.
The Community Health Stations are restocked at least once weekly, or whenever a specific product is depleted. Internal sensors alert the public health department when supplies need replenishing, ensuring consistent availability of resources.
Residents can access the supplies without providing personal information, though users have the option to complete a short, voluntary anonymous survey collecting basic demographic data. The survey is not required to obtain the free health products.
The kiosk program currently operates with funding from a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention grant, originally part of a COVID outreach effort. The L.A. County Department of Public Health subsidizes a portion of the cost for the overdose prevention and sexual health related products.
Residents seeking the nearest Community Health Station can consult the public health department's online map to locate the most convenient kiosk in their area.
