Paris’s organizers are stocking Olympics Village with 300,000 condoms, which include external and internal condoms as well as oral dams. This practice dates back to 1988, when Seoul Olympics planners distributed condoms specifically to raise HIV and AIDS awareness.
RHHD’s Health Education team was thrilled to hear Olympics First Aid Coordinator Laurent Dalard talk about these measures as an attempt to “be very inclusive and [focus] on issues of consent and pleasure.” In fact, Bellamy Riley and Darcy Strayer are giving out some sexual health medals of their own:
- Sneakiest transmission: they don’t call syphilis The Great Imitator for nothing. Syphilis symptoms can look like fever blisters or a popped pimple, and the bacteria can live in your body for a long time. Because of the higher transmission rates in places like Richmond and Henrico, the Virginia Department of Health now recommends testing for all sexually active 15-44 year-olds. It’s also important to get tested more regularly if you participate in activities that place you at higher risk.
- Most effective prevention against HIV: PrEP is a true game-changer. When taken as prescribed, the medication can reduce your risk of getting HIV during sex as much as 99%. If you’re interested in learning more about PrEP, ask your healthcare provider, or visit VDH’s PrEP website to find a provider near you.
- Best community partners: RHHD has so many medals to give out here! We’re lucky to work with organizations committed to sexual health and well-being, particularly for folks who have been historically underrepresented and underserved in HIV/STI prevention and treatment. Partners like Bremo Pharmacy, the Capital Area Health Network, CrossOver Healthcare Ministry, Health Brigade, Hope Pharmacy, Minority Health Consortium, and Nationz Foundation all make our medal podium for providing free or low-cost testing services across our region.
- Most valuable player: YOU. We can each take charge of our own sexual health by testing regularly and learning how to keep ourselves and our partners safe. Review our list of testing resources to decide the location and appointment option that work best for you.
Congratulations to all our winners!
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