Prevention Matters

Despite education and awareness efforts, many myths about sex persist in our culture, particularly among young adults. Tonight, in accordance with the GYT: Get Yourself Tested campaign and STD Awareness Month, MTV will air the Top Ten Most Outrageous Sex Myths. The show will debunk sex myths such as: “pulling out” is an effective prevention method against pregnancy and STDs; oral and anal sex aren’t really “sex”; if a woman is taking birth control pills, she doesn’t need to worry about STDs; STD testing is for cheaters; and many others. Check out the trailer for tonight’s show here or go to http://www.gytnow.com/ to learn more. And tune in tonight, April 26th, to MTV at 8:30 ET/PT to watch the show!

Partnership for Prevention’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Jason Spangler, was interviewed by Luis Perez and Shantell Jamison on Chicago Public Media’s Vocalo Overdrive about STD prevention and sexual health. The key message of the interview was the importance of getting screened for STDs. Dr. Spangler also discussed providing a continuum of care, privacy issues, shifting away from fear-based health messages, and why the STD prevalence is so high. Overall, Dr. Spangler emphasized the need to make prevention a priority, discussing how only a small percentage of health care funding actually goes into prevention. You can listen to the entire broadcast here. For more information on STD awareness month visit the National Chlamydia Coalition or the GYT campaign.

Jacky Fontanella
Partnership for Prevention Intern

As many as one in two sexually active young people will contract an STD before the age of 25 so MTV, Kaiser Family Foundation, CDC, Planned Parenthood, Partnership for Prevention and others are urging young people to GYT: Get Yourself Tested for sexually transmitted infections (STDs). Untreated STDs may result in infertility, increase risk of HIV transmission, or cause cervical cancer.

GYT is the central hub for STD information that includes facts and tips for talking about STDs to partners, health care providers, or parents. On the air, MTV is featuring information about STDs on MTV News and mtvU Dean’s List. The MTV “How To” Show will feature how to talk to your partner about getting tested and how to ask your doctor which tests are right for you. The Health Center/Clinic Toolkit also has fact sheets for patients and other content that can be downloaded for free.

You can also find local options for STD testing or text your zip code to the GYT short code (498669) from a mobile phone to get a text with testing centers close to you.

Partnership for Prevention leads the National Chlamydia Coalition (NCC) which strives to reduce the rates of chlamydia and its harmful effects among sexually active adolescents and young adults through increasing screening rates, public awareness and provider education.

Susan Maloney
Senior Program Officer
Partnership for Prevention