UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center has initiated a groundbreaking study aimed at reducing cervical cancer rates and health disparities among underserved populations. The Healthy Cervix study, known as HEALIX, seeks to understand and address the persistent disparities in cervical cancer outcomes among women of color, those with lower socioeconomic status, and in certain geographic areas.
Despite overall declines in cervical cancer rates due to Pap tests and the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, medically underserved women still account for over 60% of current cervical cancer diagnoses. HEALIX, a collaboration between UC Davis and Peach Tree Health, targets this issue by focusing on increasing Pap and HPV testing rates, as well as HPV vaccination among adolescent children of at-risk women.
The one-year study, running from July 2024 to June 2025, will be conducted at three Peach Tree clinics in Yuba and Sutter counties, with a fourth clinic in Sacramento serving as a control group. HEALIX aims to enroll approximately 1,200 women and adolescents, primarily Spanish-speaking patients, to test new approaches for encouraging cervical cancer screening and HPV vaccination.
Julie Dang, co-leader of HEALIX, emphasizes the importance of understanding cultural factors: “We need to understand if cultural stigmas and perhaps taboos regarding talking about sexual health are playing a role in low screening and vaccination rates.”
The study employs innovative strategies, including culturally tailored interventions, offering both in-clinic and at-home HPV self-collection tests, and providing gas cards to participants. By addressing barriers to screening and vaccination, HEALIX hopes to significantly reduce cervical cancer disparities among underrepresented and underserved women.
This initiative underscores UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center’s commitment to combating health disparities and improving cancer outcomes across diverse populations.
See “HEALIX study aims to reduce cervical cancer rates and health disparities” (October 15, 2024)