Our Story

Developed Together for Real People's Needs

s.a.m health emerged from an innovative collaboration between ViiV Healthcare and Deutsche Aidshilfe e.V., developed alongside both existing users and underserved communities who needed better access to STI testing services.

2017–2018: The Idea and the Partnership

The story begins with a close collaboration between three key players: the pharmaceutical company ViiV Healthcare, Deutsche Aidshilfe (DAH), and Münchner Aidshilfe.

The goal was to close a gap in the healthcare system. Although Germany has strong medical infrastructure, many people do not get tested regularly—whether due to lack of time, fear of stigmatization at the doctor’s office, or because they live far from major urban centers. The idea behind s.a.m health was to combine the privacy of a home test with the medical expertise of counseling centers (checkpoints).

2018–2020: Success of the Pilot Project in Bavaria

In 2018, s.a.m health launched as a regional pilot project in Bavaria. With support from the Bavarian State Ministry of Health and Care and under the leadership of Munich AIDS Service, the concept was tested at 12 checkpoints.

The results were impressive: The service was enthusiastically received. It demonstrated that a mail-in testing service, supported by professional counseling and high-quality laboratory analyses, significantly lowers the barrier to getting tested.

2020: Expansion Across Germany

Following this success, it was clear that s.a.m health needed to be available throughout Germany. In 2020, the project came under the umbrella of Deutsche Aidshilfe e.V. and was expanded to cover the entire country. Since then, the network of partner checkpoints has been growing steadily—from Hamburg to Munich, from Cologne to Berlin.

2026: Munich Rainbow Foundation: A First Step Toward Reestablishing the Social Fund

From the very beginning, a major pillar of the Social Fund was providing affordable STI test kits. The mission to make STI testing accessible even to those with low incomes was part of the project from the start. By the end of 2024, funding had dried up, and the Social Fund could no longer be offered. However, in the spring of 2026, the Munich Rainbow Foundation committed to providing funding for LGBTQI* people in the Munich area. This allows people who often face discrimination in the healthcare system to receive a discounted test kit and test themselves at home. We thank the Foundation very much for its trust and hope that this is the first step toward reinstating our Social Fund.

Our Laboratory Partner: Labor Krone

From the very beginning, we have been committed to the highest medical standards. In Labor Krone in Bad Salzuflen, we have found a partner that evaluates our tests according to the strictest standards. This is not an inaccurate “rapid test” you can do yourself, but a professional laboratory analysis identical to the examination performed by a specialist.

Today and Tomorrow

Today, s.a.m health is a well-established pillar of STI prevention in Germany. We are proud to be a nonprofit project that puts people’s health and self-determination at the center of everything we do.

About Deutsche Aidshilfe

Deutsche Aidshilfe (DAH) is Germany's leading umbrella organization, representing approximately 115 organizations and institutions nationwide. DAH advocates for people living with HIV/AIDS in public policy, politics, science, and medical research, while providing essential information about HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections.

In the s.a.m health project, Deutsche Aidshilfe coordinates our partner checkpoint network and manages distribution, ensuring high-quality counseling and support services for sexual health, HIV, and STI testing.

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