Entry #150

In the United States, we have the capability to eliminate the cause of 99% of cervical cancer, 90% of anal cancer, and most vaginal, oropharyngeal, and penile cancers all through the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine (National Cancer Institute, 2023). Although the HPV vaccine is effective when received at the recommended time (ages 11-13), less than 60% of adults are vaccinated in the US (National Cancer Institute, 2023). Despite the vaccine's significant potential, Yamhill County, Oregon, vaccination promotion has been strongly discouraged, forbidding the public health department to educate on HPV in community settings or promote the vaccination, limiting the awareness and education Yamhill residents receive. To address this problem and increase the rate of HPV vaccination in adolescents we have developed six interventions including educating students in the classroom setting, promoting community education through health fairs, assessing and updating current teaching given by educators in public schools, collaborating with community stakeholders, working with new Yamhill county commissioner on promotion, and creating policy change by collaborating with state policy makers to require HPV vaccination in schools. The goal of these interventions is to reduce the number of people with HPV and, consequently, reduce the rate of HPV related cancers.