Don't remove education on HPV/HIV from schools

Infection by human papillomaviruses (HPVs) causes a range of health problems, including certain types of dangerous cancers, such as cervical cancer in women and a subset of oral and throat cancers in both men and women. As scientists who study infectious agents that cause human diseases, we believe that Iowans need to be informed of the most effective ways of preventing HPV transmission.

Getting vaccinated against HPV is important because it effectively protects against the most common types of the virus that can cause cancer. The HPV vaccine is recommended for both males and females, ideally before high school, to provide the greatest protection. The vaccine has been shown to be safe and effective in preventing HPV infections and the cancers caused by HPV. Further, the HPV vaccine can help prevent the spread of the virus to others.

For the past 15 years, Iowa has promoted a policy that HPV and the HPV vaccine need to be discussed in health classes in junior high and high school, a time when studies have shown that HPV vaccines prevent HPV infection and cancer. To be clear, there is currently no HPV vaccine mandate in the U.S., only a requirement to discuss the choice to get vaccinated and its benefits.

Current efforts by anti-vaccine groups have undermined these efforts by convincing some Iowa lawmakers to eliminate the requirement to mention HPV and the vaccine in health discussions with students. These efforts to not discuss HPV come at a time when it has recently been reported that Iowa is the only state in the United States in which cancer rates are going up. In fact, we are second in the overall rate of cancer based on population numbers of each state.

The exact reasons for this increased cancer rate are unclear; however, an FDA-approved and licensed vaccine is available that has proved to be safe and effective in preventing certain types of devastating cancers. Limiting teens and young adults from learning about this preventive approach to limit HPV infection is detrimental and illogical. In addition, the legislative efforts go beyond HPV and include removal the required discussion of HIV, the virus that can causes AIDS. More people live with HIV in Iowa now than ever before.

Failing to discuss these pathogenic viruses with vulnerable individuals is a disservice to our children and the people of Iowa. To best protect Iowa youth from preventable diseases, their education much include science-based and the most up-to-date information about these issues so they and their parents can make informed choices about their health. Removing these education requirements may tragically lead to preventable HPV-related cancers and HIV infection.

Al Klingelhutz, Ph.D., Jack Stapleton, MD, Theresa Ho, Ph.D. and Li Wu, Ph.D. are infectious disease researchers and educators who live in Iowa City.