"Plastic Wrap is Not a Condom - STD Myths Exposed"
Award-winning STD Testing Service provides the facts with video 'stories'
Chicago (Vocus) October 21, 2009
STD Test Express (www. STDTestExpress. com), the online leader in STD testing services, unveils new "myth-busting" videos on its award-winning website. With a balance of accurate STD information and an engaging approach to sharing it, new videos expose Top STD Myths that exist in U. S. culture which may discourage sexually-active adults from critical health screening.
"With 19 million new reported STD cases each year, there's clearly a disconnect between facts and behavior around sexual health," says Michelle Sobel, co-founder of Analyte Media, the publisher of STDTestExpress. com. "An estimated 65 million US citizens are living with an STD - about 1 in 4 will contract an STD in their lifetime. There's so much misinformation out there. We want to open up the dialogue by trading fact for myths while helping people access a private and affordable way to get tested for STDs."
Site Uses Personal Videos to Engage and Educate Consumers
Sobel, who also co-founded of Emmi Solutions, one of the most awarded health communications products in the industry, understands the impact of personalizing information to help people make positive actions that improve their health.
"The fact is, people have many ways to hear and see healthcare information, but against all the media messages in a day, does it sink in?" asks Sobel. "STD Text Express showcases very human, personal stories that help people realize they aren't the only ones who've ever believed an absolute myth when it comes to how you can contract or infect someone with a sexually transmitted disease. Using video and distributing via the Web is a great way to expose myths and say, 'Here are the facts. Be smart, get tested.' "
VIDEO
The Top 10 Myths about Sexually Transmitted Diseases:
1. You can't get an STD from oral sex.
2. You can only get herpes when your partner is having an outbreak that you can see.
3. If you have an STD, you'll see it, feel it and know it.
4. Only promiscuous people and "players" get STDs.
5. If you have sex in a pool or hot tub, the chlorine will kill anything and everything.
6. If you don't have a condom, use plastic wrap.
7. Only young people get STDs.
8. Skin to skin contact isn't enough. You can only get an STD from semen.
9. The Pill prevents STDs.
10. Chlamydia and gonorrhea are no big deal and aren't harmful.
STD Test Express provides online access to STD testing and follow-up healthcare counseling. Service is fast, private and affordable with a full range of individual tests, test panels and even a test plan with pricing to encourage testing now - and in 90 days as a follow up.
The service, recognized by the American Social Health Association (ASHA) for its positive messaging around sexual health, encourages people to stop wondering and start actively managing their sexual health. Earlier this year STD Test Express won a WebAward for Standard of Excellence in the category of Healthcare. Other 2009 WebAward Healthcare winners included McKesson Corporation, Walgreens, Livestrong, and Mayo Clinic Health Solutions.
In addition to STD Myths Exposed, other high impact areas of www. stdtestexpress. com include:
STD Test Recommender - A free personalized test recommendation based on the CDC and other national health guidelines, lifestyle and other risk factors. http://www. stdtestexpress. com/test-recommender (http://www. stdtestexpress. com/test-recommender) UNZIPPED - A sexual health blog responding to user questions and comments. http://blog. stdtestexpress. com (http://blog. stdtestexpress. com) Real Stories - a series of videos featuring consumers with a wide array of STD stories and how testing has impacted their lives. http://www. stdtestexpress. com/std-stories (http://www. stdtestexpress. com/std-stories)
About STD Test Express (www. STDTestExpress. com)
STDTestExpress. com is a leading provider of physician-authorized STD testing and results counseling, with most current accurate information about sexually transmitted disease and STD testing. The American Social Health Association (ASHA) has endorsed STD Test Express for its positive messaging about sexual health. STD Test Express is managed by Analyte Media.
About Analyte Media (www. analytemedia. com)
Analyte creates online clinics where people access expert information, products, services and communities to transform their health. The Analyte platform engages consumers with rich-media user experiences and connects them with a network of integrated diagnostic laboratory services and licensed, board-certified physicians to provide trusted healthcare, on demand.
About the Web Marketing Association (http://www. webaward. org (http://www. webaward. org))
The Web Marketing Association is working to create a high standard of excellence for Web site development and marketing on the Internet. Now in its twelfth year, the WebAward Competition has become the premier award event for Web developers and marketers worldwide.
About The American Social Health Association (http://www. ashastd. org (http://www. ashastd. org))
The American Social Health Association is a trusted, non-profit organization that has advocated on behalf of patients to help improve public health outcomes since 1914.
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