According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually-transmitted infection in the United States. Approximately 79 million people in the United States are currently infected with HPV and approximately 14 million people become newly infected with HPV each year.1 More than 120 HPV types have been identified. Most HPV infections clear on their own; however, persistence of certain HPV types can lead to clinically significant diseases.1
HPV is most commonly acquired and transmitted through sexual intercourse. However, it can be spread through many types of genital contact—intercourse is not necessary.2 Individuals can acquire HPV from others who are infected but who don’t have visible disease or lesions.1 The CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends routine HPV vaccination for 11- or 12-year-old boys and girls.3
As a provider it is important you talk to your patients about HPV today and emphasize the importance of HPV education.
Engage patients with automated personalized outreach.
Patient engagement is central to successful disease prevention and automated outreach communication is easier than ever with NextGen® Patient Portal. Contact patients using automated care reminders and alerts with patient notification preferences, such as email, text messaging, patient portal, voice reminder, and mobile and remote monitoring integration.
Plus, with NextGen Patient Portal, providers can send alerts to their patients anytime, anywhere by automating the patient engagement process. To learn more about NextGen Healthcare solutions for a healthier patient population, please visit www.nextgen.com.
This article is provided as an educational resource by Merck & Co., Inc.
REFERENCES: 1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Epidemiology and Prevention of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases. 13th ed. Chapter 11: Human Papillomavirus. http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/pinkbook/hpv.html. Published April 2015. Accessed September 29, 2016. 2. Winer RL, Lee S-K, Hughes JP, et al. Genital human papillomavirus infection: incidence and risk factors in a cohort of female university students. AM J Epidmiol. 2003, 157(3): 218-226. 3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). MMWR Recomm Rep. 2015;64(11):300–304
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VACC-1175786-0009 04/17