2.5.4 AWHN Conference 6 2010 Harbour 1: Sex, lies and public policy. Cervical Cancer Prevention and the Introduction of the HPV vaccine in Aotearoa New Zealand

1. Sex, lies andSex, lies and
public policypublic policy
Cervical Cancer Prevention and the
Introduction of the HPV vaccine in
Aotearoa New Zealand
Christy Parker
Women’s Health Action Trust

2. Cervical cancer mortality rates,Cervical cancer mortality rates,
1996–20061996–2006
0
5
10
15
1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006
Mortality rate (per 100,000)

3. HPV vaccines/GardasilHPV vaccines/Gardasil

4. NZ’s HPV ImmunisationNZ’s HPV Immunisation
ProgrammeProgramme

5. Areas of concernAreas of concern
Undue haste in the programme
development and delivery
Targeting the vaccine only at women
The marketing approach to delivering the
vaccine
The lack of an integrated approach to
cervical cancer prevention
The role of the pharmaceutical company
in delivering aspects of the programme

6. Undue haste in the programmeUndue haste in the programme
development and deliverydevelopment and delivery

7. Given the complex interconnections
between giant pharmaceutical companies
and the government, women simply
cannot reply solely on the information
they receive from any of these sources.
The issue is complex.
(Caseldine-Bracht, 2010)

8. Targeting the vaccine only atTargeting the vaccine only at
young womenyoung women

9. The marketing approach toThe marketing approach to
delivering the programmedelivering the programme

10. The marketing strategyThe marketing strategy
Obscured the relationship between HPV
and cervical cancer
Overemphasised the individual risk of
developing cervical cancer
Failed to adequately communicate the
risks, limitation and uncertainties about
the vaccine
Overstated what is known about the
benefits

12. Failure to integrate preventionFailure to integrate prevention
strategiesstrategies

13. ImplicationsImplications
Ethical responsibilities and
health consumer rights
Not knowing can be bad for
women’s health

14. Code of Health and DisabilityCode of Health and Disability
Services Consumer RightsServices Consumer Rights

15. Right 6
Right to be fully informed
Right 7
Right to make an informed
choice and give informed
consent

16. Making informed decisions aboutMaking informed decisions about
future health practicesfuture health practices

17. By far the greatest risk for women is
that those who have been
vaccinated, and even those who
have not, may mistakenly believe
that cervical cancer is no longer a
problem and will be less
conscientious about turning up for
regular smears
(Lewis, 2007)

18. Back to the future...Back to the future...
Gender neutral policies for sexual health
interventions
Careful attention to the role of the
pharmaceutical industry in programme
development
Balanced and accurate information
Cautious and integrated introduction of
new interventions

19. Thank youThank you