University of Georgia Steals the #1 Spot in 2016 Trojan™ Sexual Health Report Card

EWING, N.J., Oct. 11, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The University of Georgia took home top honors in the 2016 Trojan™ Sexual Health Report Card, an annual ranking sponsored by the maker of Trojan™ Brand Condoms and conducted by Sperling's BestPlaces. The university demonstrated a strong commitment to sexual health on campus, which resulted in its rise to the top spot from its #3 ranking in 2015. The 2014 and 2015 reigning leader, Oregon State University, moved down a spot earning the #2 ranking. This year, schools continued to show their commitment to sexual health by implementing innovative ways to provide contraceptives and condoms on campus. The study calls attention to the state of sexual health on campuses nationwide by ranking each school according to resource accessibility and initiatives in place to improve sexual health.

Sperling's BestPlaces awarded the University of Georgia the #1 ranking for a variety of reasons, including their commitment to contraceptive availability, HIV/STI testing and superior sexual health resources on campus. Students in particular have focused their attention on improving their on-campus sexual health resources. By instituting programs such as the Condom Express, students at the University of Georgia made condom access more convenient for those on campus. In addition, the school continues to encourage students to normalize the conversation around sexual health with the Project Condom Exhibition, a condom fashion show based on designs by students. These programs, among others, recognize the vast improvements the university has made since it was ranked #15 in 2014.  

Conference Rivalries in the Top 10

Competition is fierce both on and off the field, as this year's top colleges and universities hail from major national collegiate athletic conferences. Kicking off with the SEC, the University of Georgia ranked No. 1 in the report card. The PAC-12 featured four schools, including Oregon State University (#2), University of Oregon (#4), University of Arizona (#6), and Stanford University (#9). Two Midwestern powerhouses from the Big Ten were ranked, including the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor (#3) and University of Wisconsin-Madison (#10). Finally, the University of Texas at Austin (#5) represented the Big 12, while Brown (#8) represented the Ivy League.

Top 10 Sexually Healthy Schools

1. University of Georgia
2. Oregon State University
3. University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
4. University of Oregon
5. The University of Texas At Austin
6. University of Arizona
7. University of Connecticut
8. Brown University
9. Stanford University
10. University of Wisconsin-Madison

Schools Making Moves

Comparing year-over-year rankings, it is clear that schools continue to make sexual health a priority. For example, the University of California-Los Angeles made the largest jump up in the rankings, moving an impressive 40 spots from #100 to #60. Right behind, was Vanderbilt University rising 39 spots from last year, bringing them to #47. The University of Southern California made headway rising 37 spots, from #73 to #36. Lastly, Purdue University-Main Campus went from #120 to #84 jumping 36 spots.

Rivalries in the Rankings

School rivalries are presented throughout the Trojan™ Sexual Health Report Card with schools competing for the top spot:

• Florida State University takes on in-state rival University of Miami, coming in at #16 and #29 respectively.
• Ivy League rivals University of Pennsylvania and Harvard University continue to fight to show who is best with University of Pennsylvania taking the lead by one spot. Both schools moved up in ranking, University of Pennsylvania from #21 to #14 and Harvard from #29 to #15.
• University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill dominates Duke University, ranking #20 and #35, respectively.

Creating Positive Change in Sexual Health

Since its inaugural report in 2006, the Trojan™ Sexual Health Report Card continues to grow and positively impact college campuses as students continue to push to improve their rankings. Schools continue to elevate their standing as they strive for better offerings on campus.

Speaking to the influence of the SHRC, Sperling added, "In the eleven years since we started the study, we've seen a huge improvement in the level of sexual health information and resources provided by the schools' student health centers. It's our feeling that the Trojan Sexual Health Report Card is a key reason why students are getting better information and resources. Students have used the Trojan rankings to approach their administration and make a case for better resources and services."

"Seeing schools such as UCLA and Vanderbilt make tremendous strides in the report are the exact results we aim for," said Bruce Weiss, Vice President of Marketing for Trojan™ Brand Condoms. "It is always great to make the top 10, but watching the change that has happened for so many schools over the years is a testament to the program and the passion students have when it comes to their own sexual health. That is the most exciting part of it all, inspiring change amongst students nationwide."

Pleasure & Protection on Campus

To further encourage students' to have an active interest in their sexual health, Trojan will be donating more than 100,000 condoms to schools throughout the country in 2016.

Rankings & Methodology

The Trojan™ Sexual Health Report Card is an annual ranking of the sexual health resources and information available to students on campuses nationwide. Independent research firm, Sperling's BestPlaces, analyzed 140 major campuses drawn from conferences within the Bowl Championship Series and beyond. These schools include students representing all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

Sperling's BestPlaces researchers collected extensive data via student health center representatives, along with follow-up secondary research on those centers and services they provide on campus. Student health centers were graded on services across 11 categories:

• Quality of sexual health information and resources on website
• Contraceptive availability -- free or at cost
• Condom availability -- free or at cost
• HIV testing on-site (On/off campus, cost)
• STI testing on-site (On/off campus, cost)
• Lecture/outreach programs and student peer groups for sexual health education
• Sexual assault programs, resources or services
• Overall website usability and quality
• Hours of operation
• Allow drop-ins or require appointments for student scheduling
• Extra credit

ABOUT TROJAN™ BRAND CONDOMS

Trojan™ Brand Condoms are America's #1 condom, trusted for over 100 years. Trojan™ Brand latex condoms are made from premium quality latex to help reduce the risk of unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections. Every condom is electronically tested to help ensure reliability. There are more than 30 varieties of Trojan™ Brand Condoms. More Americans trust the Trojan™ Brand than any other condom. The maker of Trojan™ Brand Condoms is committed to investing in public health efforts to support sexual health. For more information, visit www.TrojanBrands.com.

ABOUT SPERLING'S BESTPLACES

Bert Sperling has been helping people find their own "Best Place" to live, work and retire for more than 20 years. His firm, Sperling's BestPlaces, puts facts in the hands of the public so they can make better decisions about best places to live, work, retire, play, or relocate. His bestselling books, Cities Ranked and Rated and Best Places to Raise Your Family, are published by John Wiley & Sons. More information about Bert and his work is available at www.bestplaces.net.

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