Planned Parenthood’s New Mobile App Brings Confidential and Convenient STD Testing and Treatment to Your Doorstep

For Immediate Release: June 16, 2015

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NEW YORK--Today Planned Parenthood affiliates in California launched Planned Parenthood Direct™, a new mobile app that allows men and women to order confidential STD testing kits through their mobile phone and, if they test positive, receive treatment.  This is complementary to an app that launched in Minnesota and Washington State last year called Planned Parenthood Care™, which allows people to talk to a Planned Parenthood provider online and face to face through a secure video consultation system, and then receive birth control or an STD test kit and treatment, if necessary, in the mail.

“Planned Parenthood Care and Planned Parenthood Direct provide the same high-quality health care people have trusted Planned Parenthood to provide for nearly 100 years.  What’s new is now our clinicians can literally meet people where they are--wherever they are--to get them the care they need, when they need it,” said Cecile Richards, president of Planned Parenthood Federation of America. “These apps are about expanding access to the economic, educational and health benefits that come along with access to quality reproductive health care.  We understand that life gets busy -- that’s why Planned Parenthood is a proud leader in using technology to deliver health care and information to people who need it.”

Planned Parenthood Direct™ and Planned Parenthood Care™ build upon decades of innovative health care and information delivery from Planned Parenthood and its affiliates nationwide.  Planned Parenthood’s websites in English and Spanish provide accurate, nonjudgmental information about contraception, sex, and reproductive health to 6 million visitors each month.  Planned Parenthood’s Chat/Text program, which has served nearly 475,000 users so far, has been successful in reducing worry around sexual health issues by connecting youth to a real person through their computer or phone in real time. Planned Parenthood is also working to enhance its patient experience by implementing online appointment scheduling at dozens of its affiliates around the country. 

“The future of health care is online, and for Planned Parenthood that means developing and testing new programs that allow people to fit the sexual and reproductive care they need into their busy lives.  Planned Parenthood Direct and Planned Parenthood Care are exciting developments, but they’re only the beginning for Planned Parenthood,” said Jill Balderson, vice president of health innovation at Planned Parenthood Federation of America.  “As online health care delivery evolves, Planned Parenthood will evolve with it. We’re committed to finding innovative solutions to bring quality, accessible reproductive and sexual health care to people wherever they are.”

Both apps are available at the App store or from Google Play, but at present health care can only be delivered through Planned Parenthood Direct™ for California residents and Planned Parenthood Care™ for Minnesota or Washington State residents.

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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 700 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.