UPDATE: New York City residents are sounding the alarm over a critical shortage of free condoms as the Health Department’s supply dwindles. Critics are demanding immediate action to restore the program, which has fallen short for over a year.
A new Instagram account, Hack NY, has surfaced to spotlight this urgent issue, featuring a comedic skit by local talents Ayanna Dookie and Aaron Cohen. The video humorously illustrates the consequences of the condom shortage, with Dookie’s character waking up next to Cohen, leading to an unexpected pregnancy. The narrator warns, “This could have been avoided,” urging viewers to call out the Health Department for their failure to meet demand.
As of now, New York City’s Department of Health (DOH) has exhausted its condom inventory due to overwhelming demand. Residents visiting the DOH website are met with a message stating: “Due to an overwhelming initial response, we have exhausted our inventory far sooner than anticipated. We hope to be back up and running shortly – stay tuned!”
A recent report from Mayor Eric Adams‘ office indicated a staggering decline of 21 percent in the distribution of safer-sex products, including condoms, in the first four months of fiscal year 2025. This drop is attributed to delays in registering a purchase order for a new vendor. The Health Department claims that distribution will resume at higher levels soon, following the registration of this order at the end of September 2024.
However, the accuracy of the DOH’s distribution map is under scrutiny. Hack NY contacted various organizations listed on the map and found that only 33 percent currently have condoms available. This discrepancy raises concerns about the effectiveness of the DOH’s program and its ability to serve the community effectively.
Matt Wing, co-founder of Hack NY, expressed frustration with the DOH’s lack of responsiveness and has pivoted the account’s focus to actively encourage New Yorkers to demand more condoms. “We decided to pivot to encouraging viewers to call out DOH for the shortage in hopes they will feel motivated to increase supply,” Wing stated.
In an effort to amplify this message, anyone commenting on the Hack NY videos receives an auto-populated tweet linking directly to the Health Department, urging them to address the shortage.
The Health Department’s free condom initiative dates back to 1971, and it has been a critical resource in combating sexually transmitted infections in New York City. The city introduced its own branded condoms in 2007 under then-Mayor Michael Bloomberg, symbolizing a commitment to public health.
As the situation unfolds, New Yorkers are encouraged to share their experiences and demand action. The urgency of this issue cannot be overstated; access to safe sex products is essential for community health and well-being.
For those seeking immediate assistance, it remains critical to engage with local health resources and advocate for the restoration of this vital program. Stay tuned for further updates as Hack NY continues to pressure the city to act before the situation escalates further.
