Women's Health

1.      According to the CDC 20 million people are currently infected with HPV (Human papillomavirus) and is increasing by 6 million people per year (CDC.gov). Though not a life-threatening disease on its own, HPV is a leading cause of cervical cancer in women (CDC.gov). There’s a preventative treatment through vaccine, Gardisil and Cervarix, though costly it is the only treatment currently available.

2.      On a macro-level this reality exists because the treatment cost is prohibitive because it’s a new drug and the patent hasn’t expired and other drug companies cannot produce it. Also the insurance companies are only allowing girls ages 9-26 to be covered under insurance for this vaccine. Many parents of younger children do not want their children to get this vaccine because of its sexual connotations; they think that by getting it their children will become promiscuous because they think they are “immune to STD’s”.

3.      In my opinion there are not enough women in executive positions in the drug companies, insurance companies and government so that women’s issues are pushed to the bottom of the pile. There is research that has shown that HPV vaccines may be effective up to age 45 in women (Merck News), because of the cost of these vaccines ($120 per shot, three shots are the recommended vaccination) insurance companies will only cover this up to age 26 in women. If we had more women in government pushing for insurance and healthcare reforms, this vaccine might be more accessible to women of all ages.

4.      To make this plan a reality we need to get out there and support our female candidates, and healthcare bills that would affect us.  We also need to teach young women about taking more control in their reproductive health.

Works Cited:

CDC: http://www.cdc.gov/hpv/

Merck News: http://web.archive.org/web/20071112010855/http://www.merck.com/newsroom/press_releases/product/2007_1105.html