Four years after the launch of a global strategy to end cervical cancer, the vast majority of countries are putting in place concrete measures like human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination, HPV testing, and awareness campaigns that are paying off.
“I thank all the health workers who are playing a critical role in this global effort,” says Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO). “While we are making progress, we still face huge inequities, with women in low-income countries bearing most of the burden. Only with strong leadership and sustained investment can we achieve our shared goal of equitable access for communities most in need.”
WHO launched its global strategy in 2020 when 194 countries resolved to eliminate cervical cancer. At least 144 countries have introduced the HPV vaccine, more than 60 countries now include HPV testing in their cervical screening programs, and 83 countries include surgical-care services for cervical cancer in health-benefit packages. To improve furthermore the global fight against cervical cancer, WHO is launching new guidance on Target Product Profiles (TPPs) for HPV screening tests that outline preferred standards for new HPV tests able to function in remote areas in low-middle-income countries settings where disease burden is the highest.
