The city’s Department of Public Health continues strategies to distribute one million condoms, along with other sexual health resources, by January 2025.
The City of Philadelphia’s Department of Public Health is closing in on its ambitious goal of distributing one million free condoms to Philadelphians in 2024. Since Jan. 1, more than 800,000 condoms have been given out through an integrated distribution plan that includes online ordering and delivery by mail, grassroots efforts at events and through community partners, and city health centers and Department of Public Health resource hubs.
The condom distribution is central to two Department of Public Health initiatives: Take Control Philly, aimed at lowering the rate of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) among Philadelphia youth ages 13 to 19, and Philly Keep On Loving, which helps adults be proactive in protecting themselves and partners from sexually transmitted infections (STIs). To further promote ongoing sexual health and overall wellness, both initiatives help focused populations stay on top of their sexual health by providing them with greater accessibility to free STD/STI testing kits and services throughout the city.
“When used properly and consistently, condoms are highly effective in preventing STIs and STDs — in fact, since the HIV crisis elevated condom use in 1990, it’s estimated the practice has averted approximately 117 million new HIV infections worldwide,” said Charles Postell, communications and policy coordinator, City of Philadelphia Department of Public Health. “This is why the City of Philadelphia has set the ambitious goal of distributing one million condoms this year. Our ultimate aim through Take Control Philly and Philly Keep On Loving is to motivate Philadelphians — especially those most at risk for STIs and STDs — to take proactive steps that support continual sexual wellness. A healthier Philly that can engage safely and confidently in sexual activities is a Philly that will thrive on every level.”
The Department of Public Health’s two initiatives focus on removing barriers to improved sexual wellness, making condoms and other resources available at no cost and through convenient sites citywide, with discreet delivery/packaging and options for teens to create a custom condom order. Condoms are distributed in kits that include water-based lubricant, instructions for proper use, and a list of the city’s sexual health centers. There are over 100 walk-up condom distribution sites, which include universities, wellness resource centers, hospitals, bars and clubs, and nonprofit organizations.
On track to one million — upcoming events
To further advance its goal of distributing one million condoms by year-end, the Department of Public Health will be handing out free condom kits at several high-traffic events this fall and winter:
197th District Annual Welloween Health and Safety Fair
Tuesday, October 29
Mi Salud Wellness Center
200 E Wyoming Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19120
Southwest Harvest Festival
Thursday, October 31
The Common Place
5736 Chester Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19143
More information about the Philadelphia Department of Public Health’s Philly Keep On Loving initiative — which, in addition to providing free condom kits, offers free STI testing, PrEP, and other sexual wellness products — can be found at: www.PhillyKeepOnLoving.com. Information about the Take Control Philly initiative for teens is available at: www.TakeControlPhilly.org.
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