Youth-Led HPV Education Building Momentum: Expanding HPV Education in El Salvador's High School
- Global HPV Vaccination Initiative
- May 12
- 3 min read
By the Global HPV Vaccination Initiative (GHVI)
Following the success of Global HPV Vaccination Initiative’s (GHVI) programs in underserved communities like Tijuana, our work continues to grow—this time, through deeper expansion in El Salvador.
The energy and dedication witnessed on the ground during our November visit with partners at the Zoila Fogelbach Foundation have sparked a powerful new phase in our efforts to prevent HPV-related cancers.
A Deeper Commitment to El Salvador
Last fall, GHVI’s Allison and Riley traveled to El Salvador to present HPV education sessions in person, working alongside Dr. José Roberto Fogelbach. During their visit, they met with local officials and community leaders to discuss not just the science of the HPV vaccine, but its long-term economic and social impact.
The response was clear: this kind of education belongs in every high school.
Thanks to our ongoing collaboration with the Zoila Fogelbach Foundation and endorsement from government stakeholders, GHVI’s curriculum has now expanded across additional high schools in El Salvador. Together, we are reaching more adolescent girls with accurate, timely information about the HPV vaccine—empowering them to take control of their health and future.
Why HPV Education Matters
The Human Papillomavirus (HPV) remains one of the most common sexually transmitted infections globally. Left untreated, high-risk strains can cause cervical, anal, throat, and other cancers. This is especially dangerous in communities with limited access to routine screenings and early detection.
Vaccination is the best prevention—but only if communities have access and accurate information.
In El Salvador, HPV vaccination coverage increased from 20% in 2022 to 27% in 2023, but many rural and underserved communities still lag behind.
In Mexico, the Ministry of Health launched a campaign aiming to administer 1.13 million HPV vaccine doses by late 2024, with a 95% national coverage goal.
By comparison, in the United States, only 61% of adolescents are up to date with the vaccine, with girls (42.9%) still ahead of boys (34.6%) in single-dose coverage.
These numbers show promise—but they also reveal the urgent need for broader education, especially amid a rising wave of vaccine hesitancy fueled by misinformation.
Vaccine Safety and Proven Impact
The HPV vaccine is one of the most rigorously studied vaccines in modern medicine. According to the National Cancer Institute, countries with comprehensive HPV vaccination programs have seen up to 90% reductions in cervical precancers. In the U.S. alone, over 135 million doses have been safely administered.
Despite these results, vaccine uptake is still vulnerable to public doubt and disinformation—making education not just important, but essential.
Youth Leading the Way-The High School Ambassador Program
One of the most exciting developments in GHVI’s mission is the growing involvement of students themselves.
Through our High School Ambassador Program, students are becoming peer educators and health advocates. These youth leaders:
Host classroom discussions and presentations about HPV and the vaccine
Distribute educational materials with the support of school staff and health workers
Inspire their peers to take proactive steps in protecting their health
This model works because it speaks in a language students understand: each other’s. When young people lead, entire communities listen.
Health is Economic Power
The long-term implications of HPV-related cancer extend beyond health—they impact livelihoods, family stability, and national development.
When girls in underserved communities are vaccinated, they are more likely to stay in school, participate in the workforce, and contribute economically over time. On the other hand, families facing cancer diagnoses often bear immense emotional and financial burdens.
Prevention saves lives. It also strengthens communities.
What is Next for GHVI?
With expanded reach in El Salvador and ongoing education programs in the U.S. and Mexico, GHVI continues to build momentum. Our goals for the next year include:
Scaling our High School Ambassador program to more regions
Offering bilingual educational resources
Partnering with more local organizations to ensure sustainable delivery of vaccine education
As we look to the future, our mission remains clear: to protect the next generation from preventable cancers, one school and one student at a time.
Get Involved
Are you a student, teacher, or community advocate who wants to be part of this movement?
Here’s how you can make a difference:
✅ Become a High School Ambassador – Educate your peers and community about HPV and vaccination
✅ Advocate for Vaccination – Help us reach more students with the education they need
✅ Spread the Word – Share accurate, fact-based information about HPV and its prevention
🌐 Visit VaccinateAgainstCancer.org to learn more and get involved.
Together, we can prevent HPV-related cancers—one school, one voice, and one vaccine at a time.
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