In the US, universal Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination has the potential to decrease overall burdens of cervical, vaginal, vulvar, anal, and oral cancers, and to reduce racial disparities in these cancers. However, HPV vaccination rates for U.S. adolescents of all races, ethnicities, and income levels remain below national targets. We are developing English and Spanish smartphone agents to provide HPV vaccine recommendations and motivational interviewing to parents/guardians and vaccine-eligible adolescents, and to facilitate communication with clinic staff.
This work is supported by the National Cancer Institute, and is a collaboration with Dr. Michael Paasche-Orlow (Tufts Medical Center) and Drs. Rebecca Perkins and Natalie Joseph (Boston Medical Center).