In the United States, 85% of people will get a human papillomavirus (HPV) infection within their lifetime. While many HPV infections will clear naturally and without issue, persistent infections caused by certain types of HPV can lead to serious diseases such as genital warts and cancer – including cervical, vaginal, vulvar, penile, anal, and oropharyngeal (throat) cancers.
The HPV vaccine is highly effective in preventing many of these cancers and reducing the overall spread of the virus. However, vaccination rates at the recommended times in childhood and adolescence need improvement. The Society for Women’s Health Research created the #SWHRtalksHPV Video Series and other educational resources to help health care providers, parents, guardians, and their communities engage in productive conversations about the HPV vaccine. Recognizing that women are often the primary medical decision-makers for their families, it is important that they have science-based information that is accessible and easy to understand so they can make the best and most informed decisions about HPV vaccination for themselves and their loved ones.
SWHR hosted a virtual public forum to share educational information about the HPV vaccine and highlight diverse perspectives on the value of the HPV vaccine in cancer prevention.
This public forum is part of SWHR’s Vaccines Program. It builds on SWHR’s HPV Vaccine Education Roundtable held in November 2022 that focused discussion on how to eliminate barriers to HPV vaccine confidence, access, and uptake.
