Health
HPV vaccine partnership launched
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted Oct. 23, 2006
Groups from across the health care spectrum last month kicked off the Partnership to End Cervical Cancer, an effort designed to press for the inclusion of the newly approved human papillomavirus vaccine in routine preventive health care for women.
The more than 20 member organizations, which include the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, American Medical Women's Assn., National Medical Assn. and Partnership for Prevention, have formed four committees to address the major policy and public health challenges involved in helping patients gain access to the vaccine.
These committees are: an education panel, which will be tasked with increasing awareness among women regarding cervical cancer's cause and prevention options; an access/coverage committee, which will focus on educating policy-makers; a medical home committee, which will develop and implement recommendations to medical practice guidelines that include routine screening and vaccination; and a health disparities panel, which will be dedicated to ensuring equal opportunity to receive the HPV vaccine.
Cervical cancer, caused by persistent infection with oncogenic HPV is the second most prevalent cancer among women today, taking the lives of more than 270,000 women worldwide every year.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2006/10/23/hlbf1023.htm.
