Politicians’ disregard for health issue unacceptable
This past state legislative session saw a hotly debated bill, the Cervical Cancer Prevention Act of 2012. Rep. Bakari Sellers sponsored the bill that sought to provide access to preventative educational materials and human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccinations for parents electing to allow their children to receive the vaccinations. The bill was definitely caught in the middle of political posturing at its worst.
Cervical cancer disproportionately impacts young women, particularly African-American women. Roughly 90 percent of cervical cancers can be traced to HPV. HPV is the most widespread sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the United States. A recent Centers for Disease Control study found that approximately one in four women, ages 14–59, in the U.S. have HPV. The risk is highest in women ages 20–24, with a prevalence rate of 45 percent, but remains at a rate of 20 percent among women 50–59.
Recent advancements in HPV vaccinations have improved the likelihood of combating cervical cancer. HPV is avoidable, and with highly effective vaccinations, increased access to these preventions is crucial, especially among young women during years of initial sexual engagement.
Arguments against the bill were predominantly supported by moral concerns about whether vaccinations should be made available to young girls in middle school. This was substantiated by thoughts that young adults shouldn’t be exposed to comprehensive sexual health education if it does not advocate abstinence only. Another argument centered on whether government funding should go toward such efforts. Some perceived that the intent of the bill was mandatory vaccination, which was not true. It only supports access to vaccinations and information concerning HPV and cervical cancer. Unfortunately, Gov. Nikki Haley dropped the ball to combat a pressing public health concern by vetoing the bill. Instead of utilizing the government to protect citizens by increasing access to information and vaccinations, our legislature decided to play horrible politics with our health and not overturn the governor’s veto.
At first pass, it would be easy to demonize Haley, but this seems like a “teachable” moment. Our state has seen an increase in smoke-free policies. The approaches taken with smoking laws have shown the added effect of protecting everyone against second-hand smoking. The goals of protecting women against cervical cancer should be approached in the same way. Moreover, this issue affects the male population as well, contributing to a large percentage of anal cancers.
As a new legislative session is on the horizon, focusing on connections between access to HPV vaccinations or HPV information and the general public will have great political leverage. It is our civic duty to hold politicians accountable for protecting citizens against public health threats.