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Get Yourself Tested Logo
 
About GYT
It’s Your (Sex) Life, an ongoing public information partnership of MTV and the Kaiser Family Foundation to help young people make responsible decisions about their sexual health, began working with Planned Parenthood Federation of America and other partners nationwide in 2008 to bring attention to the epidemic of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in the United States. By the age of 25, one in two sexually-active young people will contract an STD – and most won’t know it. GYT ’09: “Get Yourself Tested” informs young people about STDs and promotes testing and treatment as needed. GYT launched in April 2008 in support National STD Testing Awareness Month. (The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provided assistance to ensure scientific accuracy of GYT ‘09 health information.) 
 
The Message
GYT aims to help spark a youthful, empowering social movement around getting tested. The campaign helps MTV viewers internalize the risk of HIV/AIDS and other STDs – as individuals, and as a generation – and provides a hopeful and action-oriented response to sexual health and STD testing. The goal is to generate buzz, remove the taboo and stigma surrounding getting tested and get young people talking about testing in a way that they are comfortable communicating. Ultimately, GYT is designed to serve as a call to action that becomes part of young people’s vernacular. OMG, BRB …introducing GYT.
 
The Need
Of the approximately 19 million new STDs (also referred to as sexually transmitted infections or STIs) that occur every year in the U.S., most will go undiagnosed.  Many STDs have no symptoms, so many of those infected never know it.  Lack of information, misconceptions and social stigma keep many people from getting tested.  Others may mistakenly believe they have been tested as part of general health care.  Testing for chlamydia and gonorrhea, two of the most common STDs, is easier than ever before with many clinics now offering urine-based tests.  Rapid HIV tests can provide results in as fast as 20 minutes with a swab inside the mouth.  Diagnosis and treatment of STDs is critical to safe guarding personal health, fostering sexual responsibility and addressing the wider STD epidemic. 
 
Campaign Components

The world premier on April 1st of PEDRO, an MTV film from Dustin Lance Black, the Academy Award-winning writer of Milk, kicked off for the GYT campaign. 

The GYT campaign captures the MTV audience's attention with a wide range of lighthearted and provocative television public service ads that pique their curiosity, get them talking about STD testing, and drive them to GYT09.org, where they can learn more about the importance of “Getting Yourself Tested.”  MTV news also highlights the impact of HIV and other STDs on young people.

As the central hub for the campaign,  www.gyt09.org shows young people how simple and easy it is to be tested, offers talking tips on how to broach the subject of STD testing with a partner, and connects users to local testing facilities by simply entering a zip code. A complementary texting service allows users to get information directly to their mobile phones.

Widgets and other special applications allow information sharing though popular social networking sites like Facebook and MySpace.  And, participating clinics support the campaign at the local level.

GYT Highlights Video - Watch
 
Research
Contact GYT

For more information, please email GYT09@kff.org.

 
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