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Prepare Before You’re There Campaign

Prepare Before You’re There is a new campaign from the CDC to make sexual health intentional.

Research shows that people may not believe they are at risk for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), even if they’re engaging in risky behavior. As a result, they don’t take steps to keep themselves healthy. Additionally, some report that unplanned sex makes condom use or in-depth conversations about risk “in the moment” unrealistic. This campaign can help people work around those barriers.


Start Here

Prepare Before You’re There helps make sexual health intentional.

Nearly 1 in 5 people in the U.S. have a sexually transmitted infection (STI). However, STIs are not inevitable, and they can be prevented and treated. Make a plan and choose the prevention steps that work for you!


“Game Plan” Resources

Be intentional: Have a “game plan” in place before you play. Let’s face it: sex isn’t always planned, which can make it difficult to talk about things like STI testing or using condoms.

Prepare Before You’re There links you to “game plan” resources that you can use to make decisions before you go out or swipe right. Some options include:

  • Talking to your partner(s) about sex, sexual health, and how to keep one another healthy.
  • Using condoms from start to finish when you have sex.
  • Asking your healthcare provider what options may be right for you, such as specific STI tests and medicine that prevents HIV.

In case you missed it, the sexual health quiz is a great starting point to learn whether you may be at risk for an STI.


Prepare Before You’re There Social Media Campaign Materials - #SaferSexGamePlan

These social media messages for Twitter, Facebook and Instagram can help amplify STI prevention messages during STI Awareness Week. Select messages that align with your audiences and goals. Additional suggestions to keep in mind:

  • Use #STIWeek and #SaferSexGamePlan hashtags on Twitter and Instagram during STI Awareness Week to join the conversation and share information, pictures, and videos.
  • Customize messages with local testing options. Incorporate local hashtags that may help your messages reach your target audience.
  • Share messages with Prepare Before You’re There campaign graphics or your own images, GIFs, and videos.
  • Follow and tag @NCDHHS on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Sample Social Media Messages and Graphics


Day 1: Spread Awareness about STI Awareness Week and the Prepare Before You’re There Theme

Post 1:

#STIweek is here! Use this week to make a #SaferSExGamePlan so that you’re prepared to prevent STIs before you play. Learn more, decide what’s right for you. https://bit.ly/3JU6Od3

Post 2:

Don’t roll the dice with your #SexualHealth! This #STIweek, prepare before you’re there with a #SaferSexGamePlan. https://bit.ly/3JU6Od3

Post 3:

What’s your #SaferSexGamePlan? #STIweek is the perfect time to figure it out! https://bit.ly/3JU6Od3


Day 2: Highlight Specific Prevention Activities

Encourage talking with sexual partners; using condoms; and/or asking healthcare providers about options such as testing or taking pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to prevent HIV.

Post 1:

Prepare Before You’re There! 1. Take a quiz to see if you’re at risk for an #STI and 2. Access resources to make a #SaferSexGamePlan before you go out or swipe right. https://bit.ly/3KwcZV2 #STIweek

Post 2:

Prepare Before You’re There! What’s going into your #SaferSExGamePlan? Condoms, testing, and talking to your partner(s) and healthcare providers are all great #STI prevention steps! https://bit.ly/3LsCxTV #STIweek

Post 1:

Be ready *before* you’re in the heat of the moment with “Prepare Before You’re There.” Take some time during #STIweek to make a #SaferSexGamePlan and protect your #SexualHealth! https://bit.ly/3KwcZV2

Post 2:

Be intentional about your #SexualHealth! Having a #SaferSexGamePlan in place before you play can protect you, even when sex isn’t planned. https://bit.ly/3KwcZV2 #STIweek


Day 3: Promote the Conversation Badge as a Conversation Icebreaker

Post 1:

Need a #SexualHealth conversation icebreaker? Add the NEW Conversation Badge to your dating profile to signal that STI prevention and sexual wellness matters to you: https://bit.ly/3DwIFHd #SaferSexGamePlan #STIweek 

Post 2:

Start a conversation about #SexualHealth, without the stigma, with the new Conversation Badge: https://bit.ly/3DwIFHd #SaferSexGamePlan #STIweek 

Post 3:

Ready to #StopSTIgma? Add the Conversation Badge to your profile/dating profile app(s) to open up a #SexualHealth conversation – judgement-free! https://bit.ly/3JU6Od3 #SaferSexGamePlan #STIweek


Day 4: Promote Conversations with Partners and Healthcare Providers

Post 1:

Sexually transmitted infections are NOT inevitable – they can be prevented! Use these tips for talking to your partner(s) and healthcare provider. https://bit.ly/3NSM48e #SaferSexGamePlan #STIweek 


Day 5: Promote STD Surveillance Report Numbers

2022 surveillance data underscores that STIs must be a public health priority. More than 2.5 million STI cases were reported in the U.S., with syphilis emerging as a unique public health challenge. Sexually Transmitted Infections Surveillance #STIreport #STIweek 

In [insert year], [organization’s state/county/city] had [number] cases of #chlamydia, #gonorrhea, and #syphilis. For #STIweek, know your testing options and #GYT. [Organization] is offering [testing strategy, dates, location]. [Contact information/organization URL]. 

More than 3,700 babies were born with syphilis in 2022, which was more than 10 times the number in 2012. The increase in newborn syphilis follows rising syphilis cases among women of reproductive age. Learn more about this 100% preventable infection: Sexually Transmitted Infections Surveillance #STIreport

 


Content Source: CDC: STD Awareness Week

Content Source: Prepare Before You’re There (cdc.gov)

Content Source: Campaign Materials - #SaferSexGamePlan (cdc.gov)



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