TN HJR0908

Designates March 4, 2026, as HPV Awareness Day in Tennessee to raise public awareness about HPV vaccinations and cancer prevention measures

HPV can lead to six types of cancer, with oropharyngeal and cervical cancers being the most prevalent; Tennessee has higher incidence rates of HPV cancers than national averages

HPV vaccination, available since 2006, protects against 90% of HPV cancers and is recommended for people ages 9-26, with optimal protection when administered at ages 9-12

Recognizes St. Jude Children's Research Hospital's HPV Cancer Prevention Program and its HPV Vaccination Roundtable of the Southeast, which works to increase vaccination rates across Tennessee and the region

Aligns with the international "Ask about HPV" campaign led by the International Papillomavirus Society to improve understanding of HPV prevention, screening, and treatment