In 2011, the Philadelphia Department of Public Health (PDPH) launched Take Control Philly, a campaign designed to bring attention to the problem of adolescent STDs in Philadelphia. Before the program’s launch, national surveillance data indicated that Philadelphia’s rates of STDs were among the highest in the nation, with adolescents being disproportionately affected. As part of the Take Control Philly campaign, the STD Control Program sponsored a custom-labeled condom art contest to spark interest and encourage use among the target population. The winning condom design, The Freedom Condom, embodies the Philadelphia spirit and provides an empowering message about using condoms to protect your health.

Take Control Philly distributes condoms in three unique ways: through the mail, at community-based organizations and in high schools. Since its inception, the program has distributed more than 320,700 condoms through the mail to over 23,700 unique address in Philadelphia. The condoms arrive in discreet packaging, and teens can choose between ordering 10 flared condoms or a combination of flared, ribbed, XL and/or female condoms. The program offers non-latex condoms as well.

Currently, there are more than 220 community-based organizations that receive condoms through the distribution program. These organizations include churches, corner stores, beauty salons, book stores and health centers in all areas of Philadelphia. Additionally, public high schools and some charter schools also distribute the Freedom Condom. Dispensers are located in private offices in the schools, such as a nurse’s or social worker’s, where students can feel free to grab as many condoms as they’d like.

Take Control Philly has a large social media presence with profiles on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. These profiles help teens stay connected and allows them to follow important messages about their health and how to best protect themselves from STDs.

After celebrating it’s fifth anniversary, Take Control Philly has been undergoing a renovation, both with its custom condom wrapper and website. In October 2016, the STD Control Program launched another custom wrapper contest in Philadelphia. The new website and condom wrapper will feature the idea of “customizing” sexual health and teens will have the ability to tailor their condom mail requests. If a teen wants all XL condoms, he or she may select to order only XL condoms. If another teen wants both ribbed and XL, he or she will also have that ability and so on.