Philadelphia public health campaign distributes over one million free condoms

The Department of Public Health in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania recently announced a considerable development in one of its initiatives employed to combat sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). The Free Condom Campaign was announced to have successfully distributed more than one million free condoms, according to the Philadelphia Daily News.

Since April 7, 2011, this initiative has been in effect in Philadelphia. At more than 100 locations throughout the city, complimentary latex condoms have been available for the taking by residents.

Public health officials largely intended the campaign to help stem the prevalence of STDs among city preteens and adolescents, specifically those between 11 and 19 years old. As a result, 39 of the locations where the free condoms were made available were facilities largely popular among teenagers.

By the end of 2011, the Department of Public Health program aims to have distributed 2.5 million free condoms, and add 50 more locations where the youth can obtain them.

Additionally, the agency announced that the campaign's website had received over 1,700 free condom orders and 30,000 page views.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has confirmed the reliability of condoms in helping to prevent STDs, stating that the rate of breakage is approximately two broken condoms out of every 100 used in the U.S.