Planned Parenthood and Student Leaders Launch Pilot Initiative to Expand Access to Condoms on College Campuses

At a time when STI rates are climbing, Condoms to Colleges increases condom access and spreads awareness of safer sex practices on eight college campuses

New York, NY — Today, eight Planned Parenthood Generation (PPGen) campus chapters across the country will launch Condoms to Colleges to increase access to condoms and educate young people on safer sex. As sexually transmitted infection (STIs) continue to climb and the pandemic makes it harder than ever to access sexual and reproductive health care, Condoms to Colleges is education and community activism at work. Planned Parenthood coordinated donations from ONE Condoms, b condoms and Hims & Hers after student leaders identified challenges to condom access on their campuses. Starting this week, donated condoms will be distributed on eight college campuses — five of which are Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). 

Statements from PPGen student leaders:

"Condoms are not easily accessible on Hampton University's campus, hence the reason why the Emergency Repro Hotline was created. This campaign affords Hampton’s PPGen the opportunity to meet students where they are, rather than expecting students to come out of pocket for products that should already be provided to them." - Amber Wynne: PPGen Chapter President, Hampton University

"This campaign is important to my campus because Christopher Newport University does not provide free condoms. I am grateful to be a part of PPGen and be able to provide safer sex resources to my campus." - Taylor Cheski: PPGen Chapter President, Christopher Newport University

This initiative launches at a time when sexually transmitted infections (STI) have crested at over 2 million per year across the country, and the COVID-19 pandemic has changed sexual behaviors and limited access to STI testing. The participating campuses have a combined 70,000-student population of undergraduates across seven states, and Condoms to Colleges will highlight Planned Parenthood health services in each region. Each institution will receive customized condoms, distributed with wallet cards with details about local Planned Parenthood health centers on one side. The other side of the wallet card features information about Chat/Text  — a program that allows young people to get answers to all of their most pressing sexual health questions during private, live-chat sessions with a Planned Parenthood health educator. 

The participating Condoms to Colleges PPGen chapters are at the following institutions: Hampton University (VA), Lincoln University (PA), Florida A&M University (FL), Christopher Newport University (VA), UC Santa Barbara (CA), University of Hawaii at Manoa (HI), North Carolina A&T University (NC), and Clark Atlanta University (GA).  These eight campus chapters were chosen for this pilot initiative based on expressed need and demonstrated ability to distribute condoms, through PPGen campus outreach campaigns.

PPGen is a movement of student leaders who organize in their communities to achieve sexual and reproductive freedom for their generation. They are change makers and innovators working to ensure their campus communities are safer and healthier. PPGen has over 300 chapters and programs across the country, 54 of which are at Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs) and HBCUs. 

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Planned Parenthood is the nation’s leading provider and advocate of high-quality, affordable health care for women, men, and young people, as well as the nation’s largest provider of sex education. With more than 600 health centers across the country, Planned Parenthood organizations serve all patients with care and compassion, with respect and without judgment. Through health centers, programs in schools and communities, and online resources, Planned Parenthood is a trusted source of reliable health information that allows people to make informed health decisions. We do all this because we care passionately about helping people lead healthier lives. 

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ONE® is passionate about working with artists and advocates to raise sexual health awareness. As a leader in premium condoms and lubricants, ONE® brings a fresh perspective to sexual health through a fusion of advanced product design, manufacturing technology, and education programs. ONE® Condoms feature Sensatex® Softer Latex, are vegan-friendly, made from natural rubber latex, and made with no harmful chemicals. The myONE® line of 60 condom sizes celebrates body positivity and improving safer sex experiences through proper fit. ONE®’s trademark round wrappers feature hundreds of designs to spark conversations, designed through the Design ONE Contest. 

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b condoms is the only Black owned condom company in the country. They work to decrease health disparities including sexually transmitted infections, like HIV and unplanned teenage pregnancy in the Black community.  Their condoms are manufactured with all natural rubber latex, and are odorless, pH sensitive, vegan friendly, organic, FDA approved and do not contain harmful toxins like casein, parabens, spermicide, gluten or glycerin.

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Hims & Hers is a multi-specialty telehealth platform that connects consumers to licensed healthcare professionals, enabling them to access high-quality medical care for numerous conditions related to primary care, mental health, sexual health, dermatology, and more. Launched in November 2017, the company also offers thoughtfully created and curated health and wellness products. With products and services available across all 50 states and Washington, D.C., Hims & Hers is able to provide access to quality, convenient and affordable care for all Americans. For more information about Hims & Hers, please visit forhims.com and forhers.com.