Life Guard DC is a

Washington, DC Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly known as Washington or D.C., is the capital city and Federal district of the United States, federal district of the United States. The city is on the Potomac River, across from ...

condom A condom is a sheath-shaped Barrier contraception, barrier device used during sexual intercourse to reduce the probability of pregnancy or a Sexually transmitted disease, sexually transmitted infection (STI). There are both external condo ...

distribution program and part of The Condom Project, a

Tides Center Tides Foundation is a left-leaning donor advised fund based in the United States that manages over $1.4 billion in assets. It was founded in San Francisco in 1976 by Drummond Pike. Tides distributes money from anonymous donors to other organizat ...

project that is driven by the involvement of peer-to-peer social networks, local businesses, and

community-based organization Community organization or community based organization refers to organization aimed at making desired improvements to a community's social health, well-being, and overall functioning. Community organization occurs in geographically, psychosocially ...

outreach services to destigmatize condoms and to increase their use. The program distributes free condoms at local establishments in historically overlooked communities, 24 hours a day.

HIV in Washington

Washington has the worst

HIV/AIDS The HIV, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a retrovirus that attacks the immune system. Without treatment, it can lead to a spectrum of conditions including acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). It is a Preventive healthcare, pr ...

epidemic in the United States. 1 in 20 residents is living with

HIV The human immunodeficiency viruses (HIV) are two species of '' Lentivirus'' (a subgroup of retrovirus) that infect humans. Over time, they cause acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), a condition in which progressive failure of the im ...

and 1 in 50 residents is living with

AIDS The HIV, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a retrovirus that attacks the immune system. Without treatment, it can lead to a spectrum of conditions including acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). It is a Preventive healthcare, pr ...

.HIV/AIDS in the Nation's Capital: Improving the District of Columbia's Response to a Public Health Crisis
". The DC Appleseed Center for Law and Justice. August 2005 The epidemic is driven by sexual activity (both

heterosexual Heterosexuality is romantic attraction, sexual attraction, or sexual behavior between people of the opposite sex or gender. As a sexual orientation, heterosexuality is "an enduring pattern of emotional, romantic, and/or sexual attractions ...

and

homosexual Homosexuality is romantic attraction, sexual attraction, or sexual behavior between people of the same sex or gender. As a sexual orientation, homosexuality is "an enduring pattern of emotional, romantic, and/or sexual attractions" exc ...

) and then by injected drug use.

Latex condoms A condom is a sheath-shaped Barrier contraception, barrier device used during sexual intercourse to reduce the probability of pregnancy or a Sexually transmitted disease, sexually transmitted infection (STI). There are both external condo ...

, when used correctly, are highly effective in reducing the risk of

HIV transmission The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a retrovirus that attacks the immune system. Without treatment, it can lead to a spectrum of conditions including acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). It is a preventable disease. It can ...

.How Effective Are Latex Condoms in Preventing HIV?
", The Centers of Disease Control and Prevention. Many stores and pharmacies in Washington, like CVS, keep condoms in locked cabinets which can deter people from purchasing them. Also, there are few business that sell or organizations that distribute condoms in the areas of Washington with the highest rate of HIV.Levine, Susan.
The Condoms? Please, Take One
, ''The Washington Post'', December 1, 2006; page B01.

DC Government response to the epidemic

The DC Appleseed Center for Law and Justice, a

non-profit A nonprofit organization (NPO), also known as a nonbusiness entity, nonprofit institution, not-for-profit organization, or simply a nonprofit, is a non-governmental (private) legal entity organized and operated for a collective, public, or so ...

public policy Public policy is an institutionalized proposal or a Group decision-making, decided set of elements like laws, regulations, guidelines, and actions to Problem solving, solve or address relevant and problematic social issues, guided by a conceptio ...

organization, has harshly graded the District's response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic.HIV/AIDS in the Nation's Capital: Improving the District of Columbia's Response to a Public Health Crisis
", The DC Appleseed Center for Law and Justice, August 2005 The Center's report called condom distribution an "immediate priority". The city had planned to distribute 600,000 condoms in 2005 but only delivered 100,000.Levine, Susan.

, ''The Washington Post'', February 16, 2007; page B03

Life Guard's initiative

Life Guard was formed by a coalition of local non-profit organizations to provide condoms, specifically in areas with high HIV infection rates. Life Guard creates condom packages with lubrication, safe sex information and information on HIV/AIDS resources in Washington. These condom packages are placed at 24-hour businesses such as fast food places and laundromats. The program has already distributed more than 100,000 condoms. The program has received a lot of press for its innovative and simple way of tackling the HIV crisis. The organization uses simple ways to explain the organization and its goals, such as using

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External links

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Life Guard Dc Non-profit organizations based in Washington, D.C. Health and disability rights organizations in the United States HIV/AIDS activism in the United States HIV/AIDS organizations in the United States