Boston Launches Sexual Health Campaign For Teens

August 04, 2009

Information packets, which included condoms, were handed Tuesday as part of . (Courtesy of the Boston Public Health Commission) — Information packets, which included condoms, were handed out Tuesday as part of a campaign by the city to reduce STI infections among teens. (Courtesy of the Boston Public Health Commission)

Boston Public Health officials are launching a public information campaign aimed at reducing sexually transmitted infections, STIs, among teens.

New cases of STIs are up dramatically over the past decade. A majority of those affected are between 15 and 19 years old.

"The concern is the rise especially among such a young population," said Dr. Nancy Norman of Boston's Public Health Committee. "And the concern is also that there is a rise with such a preventable disease, so getting the information out there in a way that people that are most affected can hear it has been our major focus."

The new campaign marks the first time the city has committed major funding for prevention exclusively targeting sexually active teens.

This program aired on August 4, 2009. The audio for this program is not available.