National Rural Health Day: The power to prevent HPV cancers with rural communities
Today, November 16th is National Rural Health Day. Since our first project with the SCORH (South Carolina Office of Rural Health), 1000 Feathers has been tirelessly working to implement critical strategies that address healthcare access, community empowerment, and more, in rural areas. In honor of today, we’d like to share an article written by our co-founder, Dr. Heather Brandt. In her article, Dr. Brandt addresses the critical issue of lower HPV vaccination rates in rural communities compared to urban areas. Drawing on her personal connections to rural Iowa, she explores potential reasons for this disparity, including misinformation and access challenges. Brandt emphasizes the necessity of understanding and engaging with rural communities to improve HPV vaccination uptake. She advocates for rural residents to embrace HPV vaccination as an effective cancer prevention strategy, highlighting the commitment of St. Jude’s HPV Cancer Prevention Program to this cause.
As we commemorate National Rural Health Day, we reflect on the importance of collaborative efforts like those of 1000 Feathers and Dr. Brandt in bridging health gaps. Our work not only sheds light on pressing health issues but also paves the way for a future where rural communities have equal access to life-saving measures like HPV vaccination, fostering a healthier and more empowered rural America.
The power to prevent HPV cancers with rural communities.
Heather M. Brandt, PhD, Director, HPV Cancer Prevention Program, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
Some of you may know, I grew up in a small town in northeastern Iowa. I was raised by loving parents in a large family – most of whom still live in rural Iowa. I also was nurtured by a village of like-minded folks who took care of me and each other. Since leaving Iowa for South Carolina and now Tennessee, I have remained inextricably linked to my rural roots through my family, friends, and profession. I may have left rural Iowa, but it has never left me. I have been disheartened by the headlines – rural America is dying, rural health is abysmal, rural population is declining, and more. All negative. All ignoring the strengths of rural communities. I know rural life is alive, people living in rural areas want the best for themselves and each other, and rural communities are powerful.
This is why it is discouraging to see fewer people living in rural areas choosing not to protect their children from HPV cancers. Rural HPV vaccination coverage lags and HPV cancer rates are higher among people living in rural areas as compared to urban counterparts. What are the reasons for this? Is it an information gap? Is it distrust of vaccinations? Is it an issue of access to vaccines? While the reasons may be complex and interconnected, this is no reason for complacency and inaction. We can do something about this. We have to listen and learn from people living in rural communities who have and have not vaccinated their children against HPV. What we have been doing has not erased the gap. It’s time to harness the power of rural to make sure people living in rural areas are protected from HPV cancers.
To my rural family members, friends, and neighbors: You have the power to prevent HPV cancers. You have the opportunity today to protect your children – and maybe yourself – against HPV cancers. Far too many people living in rural communities have missed out and are missing out on HPV cancer prevention. HPV vaccination is almost universally available and covered by insurance for children aged 9-12 to promote on-time vaccination. HPV vaccination is recommended for everyone aged 9-26 and for some people aged 27-45. Talk to your health care provider about HPV vaccination – it’s safe, it works, and it provides long-lasting protection.
The HPV Cancer Prevention Program at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is committed to improving HPV vaccination coverage with rural communities. We have been listening and learning to identify ways to protect more people living in rural areas from HPV cancers. National Rural Health Day is a day to focus our attention on the power of rural. This power comes from the people who choose rural life. I also hope today, and every day, everyone living in rural America will choose HPV vaccination for cancer prevention. If you are interested in learning more about our efforts in the HPV Cancer Prevention Program at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital to improve rural HPV cancer prevention, check out our recent National Rural Health Day communication.