Health Care System Factors

Since September 2014, the [https://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/Page/Document/UpdateSummaryFinal/sexually-transmitted-infections-behavioral-counseling1 United States Preventive Services Task Force] has recommended intensive '''behavioral counseling''' for all sexually active adolescents and for adults who are at increased risk for [https://www-doh.state.nj.us/doh-shad/query/builder/std/STD/CrudeRate.html sexually transmitted infections (STIs)]. [Last reviewed: 1/26/20] Since October 2019, the CDC [https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/acip-recs/vacc-specific/hpv.html#recs Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices] has recommended 1) routine '''HPV vaccination''' of children by 11 or 12 years of age (starting as early as age 9), 2) vaccination for females aged 13 through 26 years and males aged 13 through 21 years not adequately vaccinated previously, and 3) vaccination through age 26 years for gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men, transgender people, and for immunocompromised persons (including those with HIV infection) not adequately vaccinated previously. [Last reviewed: 1/26/20] According to the [https://www.cancer.gov/types/cervical/hp/cervical-screening-pdq National Cancer Institute], regular '''screening with the Papanicolaou (Pap) test''' decreases cervical cancer incidence and mortality by at least 80%, while '''HPV-based screening''' provides 60% to 70% greater protection against invasive cervical carcinoma compared with cytology. [Last reviewed: 1/26/20]