OVERVIEW

Re-defining Beliefs in HPV Vaccination: Applying Strategies to Overcome Hesitancy and Dismantle Disparities is organized by Center for Independent Healthcare Education, LLC.

Release Date: December 18, 2023
Expiration Date: November 18, 2024

Description:
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a common virus that is linked to several types of cancers and genital warts. The virus infects an overwhelming majority of men and women during their lifetimes. According to the CDC, there are an estimated 13 million new infections each year, with most of these new infections occurring among 15- to 24-year-olds. Cervical cancer is the most common HPV-associated cancer, but the virus is also linked to cancers of the vulva, vagina, penis, anus, and oropharynx.

Vaccination against HPV remains the most effective approach to prevent HPV-related cancers and can be given to children, adolescents, and young adults. Long-term population-based studies are giving an indication of the broad impact of HPV vaccination in reducing cervical cancer incidence. Despite the safety and efficacy of HPV vaccination, uptake of the vaccine lags behind other immunizations given to childrent and adolescents. This can be attributed to a number of factors, including vaccine hesitancy, misinformation, and healthcare disparities. Pediatricians are key players in ensuring their young patients remain up-to-date on vaccinations. Pediatricians are the first point of provider contact for well and sick visits and provide a trusted resource for medical information. Knowledge of vaccination barriers is critical in order to offer education that is personalized for each patient and parent in order to build acceptance and maximize protection against HPV infection and associated complications. This activity will review the current burden of HPV-related cancers, assess the latest clinical evidence linking HPV vaccination with cancer prevention, and discuss effective communication strategies to ensure that patients and parentrs understand the value of vaccination.

Learning Objectives:
At the conclusion of the educational activity, the learner should be able to:

Explain the current incidence of human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated cancers and how cancer incidence has been impacted following widespread use of HPV vaccination
Utilize communication strategies designed to educate vaccine-eligible patients and their parents about the risks of HPV infection and benefits of vaccination
Identify factors that impact HPV vaccine acceptance and implement approaches to address healthcare disparities among the pediatric population.