Connecticut: Health Department Participates in National STD Initiative

April's designation as Sexually Transmitted Disease Awareness month and this year's concurrent "Get Yourself Tested" (GYT) campaign are seen by advocates as an opportunity to normalize both routine STD screening and conversations about sexual health.

GYT is a product of MTV, Planned Parenthood, and the Kaiser Family Foundation. CDC is assisting by working to ensure the scientific accuracy of program materials. Key elements include:

• www.GYT09.org. The Web site serves as the campaign's chief component, offering facts about STDs, tips on having conversations about them, and a feature that connects the visitor to local testing sites.
• GYT short code. Persons can request information on local testing options by texting 49809.
• MTV Movie Awards Sweepstakes. During April, people who request testing site information via either the Web site or mobile phone will be entered to win a trip for two to the MTV Movie Awards in Los Angeles.
• GYT Facebook application. Available for download on the GYT Web site, the Facebook photo tagging application seeks to normalize testing by making the concept part of young users' lives.

Locally, the Greenwich Department of Health is supporting the effort by participating in a health fair at Greenwich High School on April 30. The department offers free and confidential HIV and STD testing every Tuesday and Thursday from 2 to 5 p.m. at its clinic on the third floor of Town Hall; no appointment is necessary; telephone 203-622-6496.

GYT is "an opportunity to redefine the conversation surrounding STDs and to break down stigmas," said Thomas Mahoney, the health department's director of special clinical services. "We hope this campaign will arm our audience with the information and the ability to make GYT part of everyday life."

Back to other news for April 2009