My interest in human papillomavirus (HPV) and HPV vaccine emerged during the course of my Master of Public Health (MPH) degree. In my epidemiology of infectious diseases class, I first learned about the natural history and epidemiology of HPV infections. The more I learned, the more curious I became. This interest, especially in the prevention of HPV infections and associated cancers targeted by the HPV vaccine, led me on the path of public health research.
I began my practicum research by conducting a systematic literature review on HPV and HPV vaccine awareness and knowledge as they were potential predictors of vaccine acceptance, intent, and the desired endpoint of uptake. In my review, I found that previous studies had examined factors
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At the same time, I would need to learn further about, and participate in, designing and conducting studies. Thus, to master the research and analytical skills needed to successfully conduct independent research, I am seeking admission to the doctoral program in epidemiology. At DLSPH, I have identified and reached out to faculty whose research interests closely align with mine, including Drs. Ann Burchell and Jeff Kwong. Based on our mutual interests, I have shared my research interests, curriculum vitae, and practicum paper with them as well as briefly discussed the prospect of supervision, pending admission to DLSPH.
Furthermore, I have identified relevant datasets that could be used for my dissertation, including the publicly available U.S. National Immunization Survey-Teen and National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). The latter of which I have used to estimate the prevalence of HPV infection and HPV vaccine initiation in the U.S. Using regression models, my analysis of NHANES 2007-2008 also identified specific groups, which were at high risk of HPV infection as well as low HPV vaccine initiation, requiring targeted public health
THESIS / Central Idea: HPV is the most common sexually transmitted disease; all sexually active adults will get it at one point.
Human papilloma virus is today’s most common sexually transmitted infection and reamins uncurable at this time. About 79 million individuals in the United States are currently infected with HPV; around 14 million individuals will become newly infected with HPV each year. As of early 2012, one preventative measure against HPV is a vaccine given in three shots over six months, recommended for both male and female children at the age of 11 or 12. While the HPV vaccine is not mandated at this time, many individuals have openly expressed their opinions about the possibility. A man by the name of Mike Adams wrote an article for the NaturalNews website in February of 2007 titled “HPV Vaccine Texas Tyranny” explaining his apprehensions for the possible mandation of the HPV vaccine. Correspondingly, Arthur Allen wrote “The HPV Debate Needs an Injection of Reality” for the Washington Post in April of 2007 to convey his standpoint on the topic. While both Adams and Allen agree that the HPV vaccination lacks credibility, track record, and substantiation of long term safety, Adams argues that the HPV vaccine should never be mandated, while Allen believes the vaccine could be sucessfully mandated in the future if civic observations advance over time.
About 45,000 new cases of head and neck cancers are occurring every year in United States. Among them, estimated 20% are human papilloma virus (HPV) infected cancers. The tonsil, base of tongue and lingual tonsil, other potentially HPV-associated oropharynx, oral tongue, other oral cavity, larynx, and other HPV-unrelated oropharynx are all to be considered to be different part of head and neck cancer (HNC) in the study (Ryerson et al., 2008).
The unforgettable story of vaccines is a story of triumph and controversy. The saddest part of the story is persistent ignorance and a lack of education, comingled with the personal need of some parents to explain away the problems of their children, have caused the controversy to arise. The good news is that the triumphant reality of vaccines as a whole is still the larger enduring legacy. The human papillomavirus vaccine is not an exception to this rule; in fact despite all the controversy surrounding the vaccine, it is one of medicine’s greatest lifesaving gifts to us.
There are over 100 types of HPV (Human Papilloma Virus). This virus affects the skin and moist membranes that line the body such as the mouth, throat, fingers, nails, cervix, and anus. Between 30 and 40 of the 100 viruses can affect the genital area; for the most part it causes genital warts. Human Papilloma Virus is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases In the United States, according to various studies it is estimated that at least 50% of sexually active people will get some type of genital Hpv at some time in their lives. People can get Hpv and have the virus for years, even pass it on to their sex partners without even knowing it that is because the virus often does not show any symptoms. It is a sexually transmitted disease that can cause genital warts and cervical cancer”. (“HPV fact sheet” 2012).
Most people know what vaccines are and have received them during our childhood years; but past that knowledge, most people do not think much about vaccines until we have children of our own. Some parents are more skeptical than others on the topic of vaccinations, but most parents choose this preventative measure in protecting their children from harmful diseases. However, in the case of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, there is quite a controversy as to if it is appropriate to administer the vaccine to pre-teen to teenage children. Genital human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually-transmitted infection in the United States; an estimated 14 million persons are newly infected every year (Satterwhite,
Vamos, C, Mcdermott, R, & Daley, E 2008, 'The HPV Vaccine: Framing the Arguments FOR and AGAINST Mandatory Vaccination of All Middle School Girls', Journal Of School Health, 78, 6, pp. 302-309, Academic Search Complete, EBSCOhost, viewed 10 November 2013.
After reading posts about how the HPV vaccine caused a lot of deaths and serious problems, I couldn’t but question whether the second event was caused by the first or whether it was merely a correlation. In fact, it is very unwise to directly jump to conclusions; correlation doesn’t mean causation. According to the VAERS (Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System) database, there have been 24,000 reports of adverse events with Gardasil. This seems to be a big number; however, also according to the VAERS, there have been 60,000 reports of adverse events with measles, rubella and mumps vaccines. Looking at these numbers, one must understand that it is normal to get such reports regarding safe vaccines. If I took the first shot of the Gardasil vaccine and then felt something unusual I might go and report it online as a side-effect of Gardasil because this is what first comes to mind. However when looking at these big numbers one must know that most of the side-effects of Gardasil are headaches, nausea, fever, swelling around the injection site, and syncope. Some cases of deaths have been reported, and a huge fuss was observed on how Gardasil is the reason behind those deaths. There is no proof that the vaccine caused any of those deaths. Actually, “the CDC investigated the most serious of these reports using another surveillance tool, the Vaccine Safety Datalink (VSD). They looked at Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS), ovarian failure, severe allergic reactions and death, among others, and found that those who got the vaccine weren’t any more likely to have these things happen than those who didn’t get the vaccine” (http://healthmap.org/site/diseasedaily/article/just-vax-please-hpv-vaccination-do-benefits-outweigh-risks-1614). Also, there w...
A parent who chooses to have their child vaccinated to prevent HPV has the opportunity to prevent their child from getting a variety of cancers. Children and adolescents who receive this vaccination before sexual activity begins have a chance to prevent cervical cance...
Today, annual pap smear is used for early detection of cervical cancer. However, HPV vaccination offers the best approach to prevent HPV-related cervical cancer in the future. Currently, the CDC recommends that HPV vaccination start at ages 11 or 12 and recommends it for girls aged 13 to 26, and boys aged 13 to 21 (CDC). At this time, Cervarix and Gardasil are the two HPV vaccines available to prevent HPV-related cervical cancers as well as anal, vulva, vagina cancer and precancerous lesions (CDC). However, Gardasil is the only one offered for both boys and girls. These vaccines are given in three doses over a period of time, and preferably before the teenagers become sexually active (CDC).
HPV vaccinations have been involved in some heated debates involving the general public and the government for some time now; whether the vaccine is worth being administered to young girls is the underlying question and if so at what cost. In the articles “HPV Vaccine Texas Tyranny” and “The HPV Debate” both authors Mike Adams and Arthur Allen provide enlightening information on why the HPV vaccinations should not be mandated through legislation, Adams conveys his bias and explains how the government is over stepping its boundaries when it comes to the publics’ health while Allen on the other hand, is more opt to present analytical data on previous cases similar to the one he is currently facing.
Reading the curriculum of your epidemiology track made me more fascinated with your program. I will have the great honor and passion to pursue a master in public health from such a prestigious and reputable school. My ultimate goal is to improve the practice and delivery of public health as a leader and teacher in the clinical setting. . I am excited to start my study with the hope to make a meaningful contribution to this field and to the
There are numerous of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) that are spread across the United States yearly. According to the Office on Women’s Health, In the United States about 19 million new infections are occurred each year that affects men and women of all backgrounds and economic levels. Though there’s a number of many different STIs, human papillomavirus (HPV) is a most common STI that can develop into 40 different types which can affect the genital area of men and women (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2014). Mandating the HPV vaccine for the chance of eliminating cervical cancer is a great idea, however it is not sufficient enough to be positioned as a necessity that would violate individuals’ autonomy as well as penetrating the cost of the vaccination on individuals. Ethics in vaccines can be very delicate being that it often violates one right and/or interfere with philosophical/religious beliefs. There’s has been great controversy in regards to mandating the HPV vaccine and in the midst presenting ethical concerns.
In conclusion, it is recommended that further literature reviews be completed to explore study results that supplement or add to information already reviewed.
Epidemiology research, understanding of study design and methods, hypothesis formation, and writing a scientific poster help me develop pertinent research skills to success in a future in biomedical science. I aim to earn a Ph.D. in biomedical science and continue in health science that will positively impact the population. I believe that public health can fit together with biomedical science to find insight to molecular mechanisms and complex understanding of what diseases are seen in research fields like epidemiology. I am passionate about public health and epidemiology foci of nutrition so working on a project to prevent and dec...