Men's health campaign makes awards shortlist

Herts County Council’s #GetChecked campaign encourages men to think about getting a sexual health check-up, particularly if they have had unprotected sex, so problems can be found and treated as soon as possible.

A research poll found that two out of five men in Herts (42 per cent) never think about their sexual health.

But in 2014 there were 4,143 diagnoses of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among men in Hertfordshire – a rate of 742 per 100,000 people.

The campaign used a range of eye-catching online materials through websites, social media advertising and mobile phone advertising, to encourage men to think about their sexual health.

It also made information available in places where men were likely to see it, such as washrooms and GP surgeries.

The campaign encouraged people to visit the council website, where they were directed to sexual health information and signposted to services.

It resulted in over 11,000 people visiting the page.

The campaign has been shortlisted in four categories at the Public Sector Communications Awards 2016.

The winners are due to be announced at an awards ceremony at The Emirates Stadium tonight, Wednesday.