What is HPV?

HPV is a virus that is associated with the development of cervical cancer.

The Women’s Caucus of College Democrats of America has launched a nationwide effort to educate college students on HPV, or Human Papillomavirus, which has become a prevalent topic in women’s health policy since the vaccine was released in 2006. The issue is also pertinent on college campuses, as HPV can be spread even through protected sex, and men often show no symptoms. HPV is the leading cause of cervical cancer, which causes the second number of cancer deaths in women. The facts are realistic and shocking; the American Center for Disease Control stated that three out of four women will have contracted HPV in their lifetime.

A vaccine is now available on most campuses, but retails for about $360. This price, which is not covered by all insurance plans, is unrealistic for most college students. By increasing awareness and generating concern, the Women’s Caucus hopes to spark a nationwide effort to make this vaccine accessible to every college woman.

Our Mission

The mission of the ABCs of HPV initiative is to educate and raise awareness about HPV and the HPV vaccine on campuses across the nation. We also want to lobby public officials to help make the vaccine affordable and available to all young women.

On this website, you will find several materials we have made for you to pass along to your state’s chapter presidents. You will find information about HPV, as well as sample letters to editors, student governments, and state governments to fulfill the lobbying aspect of this program.

Our goal is to have the program executed at 2-3 chapters per state. We feel this is a realistic goal, and will allow you all enough time to keep tabs on these chapters throughout the run of the program. We will be asking for summary sheets about these activities at the end of the program. Of course, tell as many chapters presidents about the program as possible, but keep your focus on a solid two or three.

Please also read through the suggestion sheet, which includes various ideas and ways to execute the program on your campuses.

Thanks again, let’s show the country once again that the Democratic Party is not only the party of women, but also of women’s health!

The availability of the HPV vaccine is the most sincere moral issue for college-aged women, and it's time we start saving lives. Today.

What We Need from You

Our goal is to promote the ABC’s of HPV. This is a program that educates you, as college students, about what HPV is and prevention attempts we can make now.

This program is intended to inform colleges nationwide of the threat HPV imposes on our young women and to promote education and advocacy for the HPV vaccine.

The intent we have is to inform you with enough knowledge so that we can depend on you to be an advocate at your college for the women we represent.