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‘Love Safely’ Is Public Health Message for Valentine’s Day

The American Social Health Association Urges Condom Education and Us

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Research Triangle Park, NC – The national nonprofit that chose Valentine’s Day as National Condom Day is sticking by its message: Love safely—passion and prevention are both important.

The American Social Health Association (ASHA), a 90-year-old nonprofit dedicated to sexually transmitted disease (STD) prevention, says condom use remains a cornerstone of the public health response to this nation’s STD epidemic.

“Too often, arguments of morality get in the way of sound public health,” says James R. Allen, MD, MPH, ASHA’s president & CEO. “With more than 18 million new cases of sexually transmitted infections each year, we must access every available option to stem the tide of this epidemic.”

“Humans are sexual beings. Abstinence and monogamy are important public health messages, but to think these messages alone will fix the problem is shortsighted at best and dangerous at worst,” states Allen. “Research continues to demonstrate that condoms – used consistently and correctly – are one of the best tools in the prevention of STDs, including HIV.”

Here are the facts:


♥ Every year, there are more than 18 million new cases of STDs.

♥ Over the course of a lifetime, at least one in four Americans will contract an STD.

♥ More than 60 million people in the US are living with a viral sexually transmitted infection such as genital herpes.

Incorrect use of condoms can be a problem. A complete discussion of condom guidelines is available from ASHA at www.ashastd.org, www.iwannaknow.org (for teens), and www.quierosaber.org (Spanish-language site for teens). ASHA’s online material was recommended recently in a condom write-up by Consumer Reports.


ASHA was established 90 years ago as a nonprofit organization devoted to STD prevention. The organization remains at the forefront of efforts to create a social environment that promotes responsible sexual behavior and improves the health of people, families, and communities.

ASHA continues to deliver accurate, reliable sexual health information to millions of people worldwide, via hotlines, state-of-the-art Web sites, responsive email services, and a variety of education programs. To learn more about ASHA, visit www.ashastd.org.

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