Always be Packing Protection

This picture was taken at a local Walgreen's pharmacy very near the USF Tampa campus. As you may or may not be able to see from the members holding merchandise, we chose to select sexual health as our "This is Public Health" topic. As college students and adults, it is our responsibility to protect our own health and our moral obligation to protect the health of our sexual partners.

According to a study published in 2005 in the Journal of Sexual Research, approximately 90% of first-year undergraduates were sexually active at least once in the 12 months prior to the study.(LaBrie et al, 2005) While this percentage seems high, it will vary from region to region and it is no secret that college students have sex. But why do we have to wear condoms? Let us answer that question with more questions. Did you know that TODAY, May 31, 2011, marks the 30th anniversary of the discovery of AIDS? Did you know that there's still no cure for HIV/AIDS? That's why you need to wear a condom.

Condoms are public health and are life-saving devices if used correctly. They are a perfect example of secondary prevention and must be used as intended to prevent disease, not just by drug mules crossing from Mexico. (Pictured left to right: Adam, Danielle, Jamey, Bryan, Nardo)