Prevention Matters

InSPOT, a website to help people who are infected with STDs inform their sex partners about testing and treatment options using playful, serious, and humorous e-cards that link to free and low-cost testing services, is now available throughout the U.S.

The service was first launched by ISIS in 2004 in response to a significant rise in syphilis in San Francisco and continues to be "an innovative way to empower people who are diagnosed with a STD take charge of their own sex lives". The site currently has about 15,000 users annually in 13 states and 11 cities, and with this national expansion, ISIS projects that users will jump to nearly 150,000 in 40 states and 25 cities by 2013.  


Partner notification plays a significant role in reducing STD rates by finding and treating people who have had contact with an infected person before they can pass the disease onto others. InSPOT provides a clever, easy, inexpensive way for people to notify their partners, especially if they are uncomfortable having a face-to-face or phone conversation about this often embarrassing topic, or if they don't know their partner very well. 


Christianne Johnson
Program Manager
Partnership for Prevention

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