Critics argue that urban health officials need to resume distributing free condoms to New Yorkers. The city’s health department has been facing a rubber shortage that dates back about a year, which is concerning given the ongoing demand for these resources.
This issue has even sparked online discussions, notably through a new Instagram account called Hack NY. The account features content that humorously critiques the city’s public services related to health.
In a recent skit, comedian Ayanna Dookie joins actor Aaron Cohen, highlighting a scenario where Cohen wakes up to find Dookie is unexpectedly pregnant. The narrator of the video points out, “This could have been avoided. New York City is supposed to hand out free condoms, but they’re in short supply.”
The clip ends with a call to action, encouraging viewers to voice their need for more condoms to avoid future mishaps. Meanwhile, New Yorkers visiting the health department’s website for free condoms are greeted with a message stating, “An overwhelming initial response has left us out of stock much faster than we expected.”
Residents are promised that the department is working to replenish supplies. DOH even maintains a map indicating various organizations that supposedly provide free condoms, but Hack NY’s investigation revealed that only about one-third actually have them available.
When approached for a timeline on when supplies might return to normal, the health department did not offer specific answers regarding the condom availability map’s accuracy.
Matt Wing, a co-founder of Hack NY, mentioned that the group’s focus has shifted to holding the health department accountable in hopes that it might prompt an increase in supply.
This initiative includes a strategy where anyone commenting on their videos receives a direct message with a pre-filled tweet to tag the health department.
As for Mayor Eric Adams’ office and the health department, they chose not to comment on this issue. However, a preliminary report from the mayor’s office indicated a 21% drop in the distribution of “safer sex products” in early fiscal year 2025 compared to the previous year, attributing it to delays in placing orders with new vendors.
The health department is currently in the process of finalizing agreements with new vendors for condom distribution, ordering a combined total of 300 condoms and lubricant packets each month.
New York City first introduced its NYC brand of free condoms in 2007, following the earlier distribution of male condoms at STD clinics since 1971 and public high schools since 1991.
