Background: Genital HPV is probably the most common STD in the U.S. Approximately 20 million people are infected, with 5.5 million new infections occurring each year. Of persons ages 15-49 years, 15% are currently infected. Overall, 50%-75% of sexually active men and women acquire genital HPV infection at some point in their lives. There is no cure and no vaccine, although vaccine development is promising. New tests are available to detect "high-risk" types of HPV (related to cervical cancer) in women.

Accomplishments: Despite limited resources, CDC has made significant progress:

In 1999, CDC convened an external consultants’ meeting to prioritize prevention activities and research needs. This meeting produced Prevention of Genital HPV Infection and Sequelae: Report of an External Consultants’ Meeting, a comprehensive 40-page report on prevention and research priorities.

In 2000, CDC completed a large pilot HPV serosurvey in collaboration with NCID’s Division of Viral and Rickettsial Diseases. This survey using sera from NHANES-III, showed that 18% of women and 8% of men in the U.S. have HPV-16 antibody. Black women ages 20-29 years have the highest seroprevalence (36%).

CDC is finalizing plans to add HPV testing into the new NHANES .

Challenges: Challenges include:

Gaps in scientific knowledge, including: 1) significance of a positive HPV test; 2) risk factors for HPV persistence, which is a key determinant of progression of HPV infection to cervical cancer; 3) effectiveness of condoms; and 4) lack of available and effective therapy; and widespread misinformation about all aspects of HPV and its consequences (including transmission, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention) among health care providers as well as patients and the general public.