Washington, D.C. – The National Coalition of STD Directors (NCSD) is pleased to announce that three organizations will receive a combined total of a half million donated Trojan™ Brand Condoms: the Philadelphia Department of Public Health, the Oklahoma State Department of Health, and the Iowa Department of Public Health. As part of NCSD’s “Condoms (STILL) Work!” campaign, and its ten year condom donation partnership with the maker of Trojan™ Brand Condoms, these donations will aid in preventing the transmission of STDs, including HIV, as well as preventing unintended pregnancies, in areas of great need.

“With rates of chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis all rising concurrently in 2014, we know that those on the front lines of STD prevention—public health departments across the country—are in desperate need of the most effective tool to ensure sexually active people in their community remain healthy: the condom,” stated William A. Smith, Executive Director of the National Coalition of STD Directors. “The partnership between NCSD and Trojan™ Brand Condoms enables us to get high quality condoms that people like into areas where they are needed and at no cost to our public health departments. It’s a win-win for us all.”

Since 2006, 2014 was the first year that rates of three STDs—chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis—increased in the same year, some dramatically so.  Most notably, rates for primary and secondary syphilis, which are the most infectious stages of syphilis, increased by a shocking 15 percent in 2014, on top of a 10 percent increase in 2013 and an 11 percent increase in 2012.  In addition, congenital syphilis, when a woman transmits syphilis infection during pregnancy, increased by 38 percent between 2012 and 2014, and is currently at its highest rate seen since 2001.

“We are thrilled to see the local NCSD member organizations get behind the ‘Condoms (STILL) Work!’ campaign,” said Bruce Weiss, Vice President of Marketing, Trojan™ Brand Condoms. “We are committed to investing in sexual health and supporting the public health value of condoms.  For many people, condoms are the best choice, given that they are proven to be effective at preventing against both STDs and unintended pregnancies.  We are proud to make this condom donation, in support of NCSD’s work to increase resources for core STD programs and services.”

George Walton, Iowa’s STD Program Manager said, “These condoms will further strengthen condom distribution efforts in Iowa.  The HIV and STD Prevention Programs have established an integrated and collaborative approach to this important prevention strategy.  The receipt of these condoms will allow us to expand further and include new and innovative venues by working with partners in public health, medicine, family planning, and community-based organizations.  This will enable us to ensure that Iowans in all parts of the state have access.”

Kyana Anthony, a Nurse Practitioner at District Health Center 1, one of the Philadelphia health department STD clinics in Philadelphia summed up the need for these resources by stating, “As a clinician here at the STD clinic, we counsel all of our patients on safe sex.  We see over 20,000 visits a year and we need enough condoms to supply all of our patients’ needs.”

To be eligible, all nominees submitted a video to NCSD, outlining why their organization should receive these donated condoms, and what they would do with them if they were to receive them.  Winners were chosen by how clear the nominees were on a distribution plan for the donated Trojan™ Brand Condoms, their demonstrated need for additional condom resources, and morbidity of disease.  Similar to the national trends, STD morbidity is steadily rising in the three winning jurisdictions and the donated condoms will be used to outreach to most at-risk populations.

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The National Coalition of STD Directors (NCSD) is a partnership of public health professionals dedicated to promoting sexual health through the prevention of STDs. NCSD provides dynamic leadership that strengthens STD Programs by advocating for effective policies, strategies,

and sufficient resources by increasing awareness of the medical and social impacts of STDs.

About Trojan™ Brand Condoms

Trojan™ Brand Condoms are America’s #1 condom, trusted for over 100 years. Trojan™ Brand latex condoms are made from premium quality latex to help reduce the risk of unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections. Every condom is electronically tested to help ensure reliability. There are more than 30 varieties of Trojan™ Brand Condoms. More Americans trust Trojan™ Brand than any other condom. The maker of Trojan™ Brand Condoms is committed to investing in public health efforts to support sexual health. For more information, visit www.TrojanBrands.com.

Contact:
Stephanie S. Arnold Pang
National Coalition of STD Directors
(612) 220-2446
sarnold@ncsddc.org

Carolyn Conners
Edelman for Trojan
(212) 704-4484
carolyn.conners@edelman.com