PLANNED PARENTHOOD OF SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND ENCOURAGES YOUNG PEOPLE TO “GET YOURSELF TESTED”
For Immediate Release: May 13, 2016
National “GYT: Get Yourself Tested” campaign reaches youth to increase STD awareness and testing.
(New Haven, Conn.) – April is STD Awareness Month and Planned Parenthood of Southern New England (PPSNE) encourages young people to GYT: Get Yourself Tested. GYT – a national collaborative effort of the American College Health Association, the Kaiser Family Foundation, MTV, National Coalition of STD Directors and Planned Parenthood – encourages young people to take control of their sexual health by promoting regular STD testing and open communication around STD awareness, testing and safer sex.
“Getting tested for STDs is a basic part of staying healthy and taking care of your body,” said Kafi Rouse Director of Public Relations & Marketing with Planned Parenthood of Southern New England. “Knowing your status is one of the most important things you can do to protect your health and take control of your sex life.”
In November 2015, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced that cases of chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis all increased in 2014. One in two sexually active people in the U.S. will get an STD at some point – and most won’t know it because many STDs have no symptoms. The only way to know for sure is by getting tested.
STD tests are generally quick and simple. For example, rapid HIV tests can provide results in as fast as 20 minutes from just a swab inside the mouth. Not all medical checkups include STD testing – so unless you ask to be tested, you can’t assume you have been.
“We offer STD testing, treatment, counseling, education, and information to help you take charge of your sexual health. Planned Parenthood is here to help you stay safe and healthy, and we are proud to be part of the GYT effort,” said Rouse. “We believe that everyone deserves access to affordable, quality health care. Our doors are open to everyone – regardless of race, income, geography, citizenship status or gender identity.”
In recognition of Get Yourself Tested month, Planned Parenthood of Southern New England is holding special Teen Clinics (for teens-only) in cities across Connecticut and Rhode Island:
- April 11, 3:30 – 6 PM
111 Point Street
Providence, RI
- April 19, 3 – 5:30 PM
211 State Street
Bridgeport, CT
- April 27, 3 – 6 PM
45 Franklin Street
New London, CT
- April 28, 4 – 6 PM
1229 Albany Avenue
Hartford, CT
- May 5, 3:30 – 6:30 PM
345 Whitney Avenue
New Haven, CT
STD prevention is a core part of health services and education efforts provided by Planned Parenthood. Every year, Planned Parenthood health centers provide 4.2 million tests and treatments for sexually transmitted infections, including HIV. Planned Parenthood is a trusted source for quality health care and in 2014, served a greater percentage of men than ever before – primarily for STD testing.
Planned Parenthood provides education programs in schools and communities and outreach to nearly 8,100 people in Connecticut and Rhode Island every year – including comprehensive sexual health education, peer education and parent workshops.
To learn more about Planned Parenthood of Southern New England, Teen Clinics, or comprehensive sexual health education and programs, call (203) 865-5158 email [email protected] or visit ppsne.org.
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Planned Parenthood of Southern New England (PPSNE) is one of the region’s largest providers of family planning and reproductive health care services. Since 1923, PPSNE has evolved into an organization with 18 health centers in Connecticut and Rhode Island, delivering care to nearly 70,000 patients annually, and 90 percent of the services provided are preventive.
Source
Planned Parenthood of Southern New England, Inc.
Contact
Media Contact: Josh Morgan
Brand & Communications Manager
Office: 203.752.2900
Cell: 203.815.9825
Published
March 31, 2016