NEW JERSEY — Planned Parenthood of Central New Jersey is proud to participate in a nationwide campaign with MTV and the Kaiser Family Foundation and to officially unveil “GYT: Get Yourself Tested,” a campaign to increase testing and treatment for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among those under 25 years of age.
In New Jersey, we know that early testing for STDs and STIs helps prevent the spread and timely treatment allows patients to address the problem before increased complications. New Jersey ranks 5th in the country for rates of HIV/AIDS overall. One in 308 women (age 13+) in New Jersey is living with HIV/AIDS. Among the 50 states, New Jersey had the highest proportion of females among persons living with AIDS at the end of 2001.
GYT kicks off with a mix of promotions on-air, online and in the real world that will unfold throughout the month of April in recognition of National STD Awareness Month. The central hub of the campaign, GYT09.org, will provide comprehensive information about STDs and will direct users to the nearest testing location simply by entering a zip code. A mobile companion to GYT09.org, the GYT short code (49809), provides details about local testing locations to mobile phones by texting a zip code.
“Most people would be shocked to hear how prevalent sexually transmitted infections are among young people,” said Phyllis Kinsler, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Central New Jersey. “The GYT campaign is an excellent opportunity for people to learn what Planned Parenthood knows — that affordable testing and treatment and education are the tools teens and young people need to stay healthy and safe. It is consistent with Planned Parenthood’s ongoing commitment to preventative services, both in our health centers and in our community education programs.”
As part of GYT, last night Planned Parenthood also hosted several viewing parties for Pedro, a film aired on MTV about the Real World participant Pedro Zamora. Mr. Zamora captured the hearts of millions as the first-ever openly gay, HIV-positive main character on a television series. Told through the eyes of his friends and family, the film celebrates the extraordinary life of a young man who found out he was HIV-positive at 17, dedicated his life to speaking out about the disease, and provoked a worldwide outpouring of grief when he died at age 22.
An all-star collective of pop culture personalities are carrying the GYT message far and wide, appearing in a series of attention-getting on-air and online promotions on MTV and other MTV Network properties this month; blasting out GYT on Facebook, Twitter and other social media platforms; wearing GYT on their chest and sleeves; and of course, going to get tested for STDs.
From OMG to LOL, acronyms saturate young people’s everyday vernacular, acting as common methods of communication. Playing off mobile and Web slang, GYT is an easy way for young people to talk about sexual health and getting tested for STDs. GYT will help young people internalize the risk of STDs and eliminate taboos and stigmas surrounding STDs and STD testing.
Planned Parenthood of Central New Jersey will be offering free or low cost testing and treatment services at all six of its health centers in Monmouth and Middlesex Counties. For more information, including phone numbers and directions, visit www.ppcnj.org or GYT09.org.
Planned Parenthood of Central NJ (PPCNJ): PPCNJ has been providing reproductive health care services to women and their families since 1935. Its six health centers are located in Freehold, Hazlet, Perth Amboy, New Brunswick, Shrewsbury, and Spotswood. Each year, approximately 15,000 women, adolescents and men are served in its health centers and its education team delivers programs and workshops to over 25,000 adolescents, young adults, parents and youth-serving professionals.
All PPCNJ services are confidential and fees are based on the clients’ ability to pay. Health centers are located at:
800 West Main Street, Freehold, NJ 07728, 732/431-1717
1 Bethany Road, Building 6, Suite 91, Hazlet, NJ 07730, 732/888-4900
10B Industrial Drive, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, 732/246-2411
450 Market Street, Perth Amboy, NJ 08861, 732/442-4499
69 East Newman Springs Road, Shrewsbury, NJ, 07702, 732/842-9300
12 Snowhill Street, Snowhill Plaza, Suite 3, Spotswood, NJ, 08884, 732/723-9192
For more information, please visit www.ppcnj.org
