Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2005. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
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Los Angeles Times (12.15.05) - Friday, December 16, 2005
Rong-Gong Lin II; Daniel Costello
"It will help more people get tested early," said Dr. Jonathan Fielding, public health director for the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services (LACDHS). "We can get people into treatment and get them to modify their behavior."
LACDHS paid $14,000 for inSPOTLA.org and plans to spend $8,000 a year for its operation. The site's creators, Internet Sexuality Information Services (ISIS), said much less than 1 percent of e-mails are reported as a prank, a scenario concerning many who oppose such a site.
A user's STD diagnosis is not officially confirmed through the site, which is being cosponsored by AIDS Healthcare Foundation. Site users can decide whether to remain anonymous, and six e-mail options, spanning from lighthearted to sober, are offered.
In October 2004, San Francisco officials deployed an STD partner notification Web site, which began including HIV this month. In 2006, Seattle, Philadelphia, and Indiana are set to launch inSPOT sites.
"We know the Internet has emerged as a highly efficient means to identify multiple partners," said Dr. Peter Kerndt, LACDHS's STD program director. "Whenever this occurs, we know there is an enormous risk of sexually transmitted infections." The site may especially appeal to people with STDs who may be able to only notify a partner by e-mail.
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