Philly seeks positive message for condom wrappers

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Health officials in Philadelphia want artists to come up with wrappers for the condoms it distributes at health clinics and other locations.

The city’s Department of Public Health is seeking submissions for pleasing prophylactic wrappers as part of an effort to encourage condom use.

The city distributes about 1 million condoms per year and wants to double that number in 2011. The head of the department’s disease-control division tells the Philadelphia Daily News the city is targeting its high rate of sexually transmitted diseases like gonorrhea and syphilis.

Carol Johnson says artists can submit designs with a “unique and positive message” through January 14.

The plan is modeled after a similar program in New York City.