Health officials visit sex museum to promote condom handouts

NEW YORK — Health officials used the Museum of Sex as a backdrop while promoting New York City's condom giveaway program.

A condom campaign launched Friday is called "Be sexy, be safe."

Condom distribution has been a key component in the city's fight against HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases for decades.

Commissioner Dr. Mary Bassett says her department has "wrapped the city in high-quality latex."

New York City began distributing free condoms in 1971. The city introduced the nation's first municipally branded condom in 2007.

Health officials say the city gave out 35 million free condoms in 2014.

The city added larger-sized condoms called NYC KYNG last year.

The campaign will include subway ads in English and Spanish as well as social media ads.