Appalachian pediatricians are less likely to advocate for HPV vaccine

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) may cause a variety of other conditions. For example, the human papillomavirus (HPV), has been shown to be a leading cause of cervical cancer. Recently, there has been a great deal of debate regarding the vaccine for this disease as politicians remain divided on whether girls in several states should be mandated to receive it.

Recently, researchers from Ohio State University have found that pediatricians in Appalachia are less likely to recommend the vaccine than physicians in other areas. The study also found that women living in this part of the country are more likely to get, and die from, cervical cancer.

"We found that pediatricians in Appalachia were less likely than others to think their patients were even susceptible to HPV," said Janice Krieger, lead author of the study and assistant professor of communication at Ohio State University.

The scientists suggested that in smaller, close knit communities it may be harder for physicians to bring up the subject of STDs. The cost of the vaccine may also be difficult for poorer Appalachian communities to afford.