February 2008 — While cervical cancer is the second most common cancer worldwide and the most common among women in developing countries, it is among the most preventable and treatable of all cancers. Global guidance on comprehensive programs for cervical cancer control as well as for introduction of immunization for human papillomavirus (HPV) has been issued by the World Health Organization, and review of the guidance has begun in the Asia-Pacific region. However, initial costs of large-scale HPV immunization have made decision makers in developing countries of the region reluctant to develop strategies to incorporate HPV immunization vaccines into their programs. Without advocacy efforts and a significant reduction in the price of the vaccine, HPV immunization will not feature prominently on the policy agenda in the region. This report documents the proceedings of an FHI 360-hosted regional workshop highlighting the role of health outcomes research data and modeling for future decision making.
