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Focusing On HPV During National Public Heath Week

Last updated on Thursday, March 30, 2017

(BLOOMINGTON) - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that around 14 million people are infected with Human Papillomavirus (HPV) every year in the United States.

Join the Monroe County Public Health Clinic during National Public Health week for a showing of the documentary "Someone You Love: The HPV epidemic," from 6 - 8 p.m. on April 5 at Ivy Tech Shreve Hall.

HPV is a virus that can cause cancer in both men and women, so the CDC recommends all males and females start the HPV series of two vaccinations at age 11 or 12 since more than half of infections occur between the ages of 15 and 24.

"HPV vaccination is a shot against cancer," said Jaema Kelly, RN, Monroe County Public Health Clinic. "HPV infection can have devastating health consequences ranging from chronic infection with genital warts to death from HPV causing cancers. Vaccination at a young age is important to obtain protection before coming into contact with the human papilloma virus."

To bring attention to this important health topic, the Monroe County Public Health Clinic is offering the documentary screening for free and encourages the public to attend:

A panel discussion and Q&A session with guest speakers will follow the documentary. Panelists include Brenda and Kirk Forbes, who lost their daughter to HPV; Dr. Gregory Zimet, professor of Pediatrics & Clinical Psychology and Heather Banks, an Indianapolis schoolteacher.

The Monroe County Public Health Clinic staff will be available to administer the HPV vaccination during the event. Most major insurance can be billed and the vaccine is free to those who are uninsured.

Call the Monroe County Public Health Clinic at (812) 353-3244 for additional information.

Indiana University Health Bloomington has provided leading care to south central Indiana for more than 105 years. As a not-for-profit organization, IU Health Bloomington serves a patient base of more than 415,000 people in 10 south central Indiana counties.

It holds Magnet designation as well as Primary Stroke Center certification, is an accredited Chest Pain Center and received approval with commendation from the Commission on Cancer. To learn more about IU Health Bloomington, visit iuhealth.org/bloomington or call (812) 353- 5252.

As the only nationally recognized healthcare system in Indiana, Indiana University Health is dedicated to providing a unified standard of preeminent care. A unique partnership with Indiana University School of Medicine - one of the nation's leading medical schools - and the depth of experience from the most complete network of highly skilled specialty and primary care physicians, gives IU Health unparalleled strength in delivering assurance to patients.

Discover the strength at iuhealth.org.

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