In Tennessee, lower use of prevention strategies linked to higher rates of certain cancers

Compared to more urban areas, rural communities face differences in their use of preventive and other kinds of health care. These differences in use can be linked to differences in health outcomes. Take, for example, Tennessee, where 78 of the state’s 95 counties are considered rural. Tennessee has higher rates of cancers associated with human papillomavirus (HPV) — a common virus known to cause cancers over time, including cervical cancer and cancer in the back of the throat — compared to the national average.

Each year in the United States, as many as 80% of HPV-associated cancer cases could be stopped through preventive steps such as vaccines, which are usually administered to adolescents. Yet in Tennessee, HPV vaccination rates are lower than the national average. Researchers from the Tennessee CEAL Regional Team set out to explore the factors behind these differences and propose strategies to help encourage the use of HPV-preventive care services in the state. Reviewing 2023 data from the Tennessee Department of Health, the team found that HPV vaccine uptake was greatly influenced by rural status, as well as other factors such as age and insurance coverage. 

The authors propose ways to improve awareness, education, and access to preventive care. Because rural communities are often geographically isolated, many of the team’s proposed strategies address related access challenges. For example, mobile medical units can be deployed to reach older individuals. Health fairs, town halls, faith-based community events, wellness visits by medical providers, and telehealth education programs all hold promise for expanding access to preventive care. 

Taking steps to encourage uptake of HPV preventive care and close the gaps faced by rural and highly impacted communities can go a long way in achieving public health goals and protecting people from potentially deadly cancers.