New York hospitals use emojis in sex-ed
New York City's Health & Hospitals has launched a social-media campaign using emojis to encourage 12-to 21-year-olds to seek confidential care for sexual and reproductive health. The images, posted on Facebook and Instagram, with links to a Health & Hospitals website, aim to encourage sexually-active teenagers and young people to get tested for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) or pregnancy at one of the city's 20 YouthHealth centres.

The birds and the bees are no longer confined to uncomfortable living-room conversations. They will start popping up as emojis in teenagers’ Facebook feeds on Monday.

Eggplant and peach emojis will appear with the words: “Need to talk to someone about ‘it’?” A monkey emoji with its hands over its mouth will offer advice on how to get confidential access to emergency contraception.

The social media posts are part of a campaign by NYC Health & Hospitals to reach young people ages 12 to 21 and encourage them to seek confidential care for sexual and reproductive health, like testing for sexually transmitted diseases and pregnancy, at one of the 20 YouthHealth centers across the five boroughs.

The public hospital system’s messages on Facebook and Instagram will direct readers to a new Health & Hospitals website. The website maps out the locations of all the YouthHealth services sites in New York City and reminds young people that they can get health care services regardless of ability to pay, immigration status, gender identity or sexual orientation.