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HPV |
The Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is an extremely common virus that causes persistent infections which can lead to cervical cancer. Cervical cancer is a major cause of mobility and mortality among women in the developing world with an estimated 470,000 new cases each year according to the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO). Over 80% of new cases occur in developing countries with the highest burden of disease occurring among women who have little or no access to routine health care. According to the World Health Organization, HPV is the second biggest cause of female cancer mortality worldwide with an estimated 240,000 deaths yearly and the prevalence of genital HPV infection is estimated to be around 440 million worldwide. The Albert B. Sabin Vaccine Institute in collaboration with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are undertaking a project to research and review published and unpublished sources of HPV epidemiological data in Latin America. The results of this study will be made available during a two-day HPV consensus conference that will be held in Latin America in 2008. The focus of this meeting will be to convene key health and government officials from Latin America, officials from the World Health Organization and Pan American Health Organization as well as representatives from multilateral agencies and pharmaceutical companies. The main objective of the conference is to provide a common ground for discussion and exchange of ideas that may possibly lead to the overcoming of financial, logistical and/or political obstacles to vaccination. |
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scientist who is also a human being cannot rest | |
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