WHO's 2030 Cervical Cancer Elimination Goal on Track
The World Health Organization (WHO) has set an ambitious goal to eliminate cervical cancer as a public health problem by 2030. This strategy, published in 2020, aims to reduce the global burden of cervical cancer through vaccination and screening efforts.
Key targets for 2030 include vaccinating 90% of girls against HPV before they turn 15, screening 70% of women at least twice in their lifetime with an effective HPV test, and treating 90% of women diagnosed with precancerous lesions or cancer. HPV viruses, first discovered as a cause of cervical cancer by German scientist Harald zur Hausen in 1983, are the main culprit. Meeting WHO targets could prevent 74 million new cases, including 300,000 by the end of this decade. High vaccination rates and a gender-neutral vaccination strategy have contributed to this progress.
Research published in JAMA Pediatrics shows that even unvaccinated women in high-risk groups have seen a 75% decline in infection by strains covered by the bivalent vaccine due to herd immunity. HPV infections covered by vaccines have declined substantially, with a 98% decrease in infection by strains covered by the bivalent vaccine among a high-risk group. The success of the HPV vaccine is such that herd immunity against cervical cancer is within reach in the United States. However, challenges remain, such as misinformation campaigns against the HPV vaccine in Pakistan, despite successfully vaccinating nine million girls.
The WHO's strategy to eliminate cervical cancer as a public health problem by 2030 is showing promising results. Vaccination and screening efforts have led to significant reductions in HPV infections and cervical cancer diagnoses. However, continued efforts are needed to overcome challenges and achieve the 2030 targets.
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