Missed Opportunities in Head and Neck Cancer Prevention: Human Papillomavirus Vaccination Messaging in MENA-Serving Health Systems.

OBJECTIVES

To analyze the presence, framing, and cultural accessibility of HPV vaccination messaging related to oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) prevention among health institutions serving Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) populations in the United States.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

Cross-sectional content analysis of publicly available HPV vaccination materials from 37 MENA-serving institutions (24 health systems, eight public health departments, five community-based organizations) across eight U.S. metropolitan counties selected using 2020 U.S. Census-derived MENA population estimates. Reporting followed SRQR guidelines. Primary outcomes included presence of head and neck cancer language, HPV-16 mention, cervical cancer-dominant framing, Arabic/Farsi/Turkish language access, and cultural tailoring.

RESULTS

Twenty-six of 37 institutions (70.3%) provided HPV vaccination content. Among these, 14 (53.8%) included head and neck cancer language and only 4 (15.4%) mentioned HPV-16. A cervical cancer-dominant framework was present in 13 (50.0%). Eight institutions (30.8%) offered Arabic, Farsi, or Turkish language access. Cultural tailoring was present in 12 (46.2%). No community-based organizations provided HPV vaccination content.

CONCLUSION

HPV vaccination messaging among MENA-serving institutions inadequately reflects OPSCC epidemiology. Head and neck cancer language, HPV-16 mention, language access, and cultural tailoring remain inconsistent. Otolaryngologists are well positioned to advocate for cancer-inclusive, culturally responsive HPV prevention messaging.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4.