ADA asks Senate to pass PREVENT HPV Cancers Act

Washington - The ADA is asking the Senate to pass the PREVENT HPV Cancers Act, which encourages the use of the Human papillomavirus vaccine to reduce the risk of HPV-related cancers.

HR 1550 previously passed the House of Representatives on Nov. 30.

In a Dec. 10 letter to Senate leaders, ADA President Cesar R. Sabates, D.D.S., and Executive Director Raymond A. Cohlmia, D.D.S. noted that HPV is now associated with 19,000 cases of head and neck cancers each year in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The ADA hopes the bill will increase awareness of HPV and educate the public on the need for HPV immunization. The Organized Dentistry Coalition also supports the bill.

"The ADA is proud to support HR 1550 and would welcome the opportunity to work with the Secretary of Health and Health Human Services on the public service awareness campaign that would be authorized under the bill," Drs. Sabates and Cohlmia wrote. "We urge you to bring the PREVENT HPV Cancers Act up for a vote."

Follow all the ADA's advocacy efforts at ADA.org/advocacy .