Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) remain a significant public health challenge, with rural communities bearing a disproportionate burden due to geographic, socioeconomic, and infrastructural barriers. Limited access to healthcare, lack of reliable transportation, and a pronounced shortage of specialists—including dermatologists—create conditions where STIs are frequently diagnosed at more advanced stages. Later-stage diagnoses contribute to increased transmission rates, higher healthcare expenditures, and worse patient outcomes. Expanding access to dermatology-led STI clinics in rural areas offers a compelling, cost-effective intervention that addresses both diagnostic and preventive gaps in care. Key contributors to cost-effectiveness include earlier identification of cutaneous manifestations, timely initiation of treatment, reduced disease progression, and decreased reliance on emergency or long-term care services. A comprehensive evaluation of these variables reveals how integrating dermatologic expertise into rural STI care pathways not only improves clinical outcomes but also strengthens health system efficiency. Prioritizing the expansion of dermatology STI services in rural regions represents an urgent and actionable strategy to reduce structural health disparities and safeguard the well-being of medically underserved populations.
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