Village Improvement Association hosts Dr. Martin Luta at January meeting

As part of the ongoing program to combat cancer in the community, the Village Improvement Association hosted Dr. Martin Luta, chief officer of the Bureau of Communicable Disease Prevention with the Delaware Division of Public Health, at the January meeting.

Luta, a pediatrician, has over 13 years of experience in public health and a special interest in vaccine-preventable diseases and their control. He spoke to the group about the critical need to vaccinate adolescents to prevent human papilloma virus, infections which lead to cervical, vaginal, throat, penile and other types of cancers.

“Research has proven the viability of the existing vaccines to prevent these cancers, and this is the first time we’ve had the ability to significantly reduce cancer in a generation," said Luta. “Our efforts on behalf of these children are crucial.”

HPV is widespread, with 50 percent of the general population infected, or 80 percent of U.S. women aged 50. The United States lags behind other countries in efforts to vaccinate adolescents, with 57 percent of girls and 35 percent of boys receiving the vaccine in 2014. It is recommended that recipients receive three doses to ensure effectiveness.

Vaccinating all adolescents against these preventable cancers would lower overall healthcare costs in the United States. Research indicates vaccinating adolescents does not lead to increased sexual activity, as postulated by some opposition groups.

“As members of the VIA, we want to create awareness and urge parents to have their children vaccinated against these preventable cancers,"  said Donna Mabry, VIA co-chair of the education committee. “Hearing from Dr. Luta on the benefits of vaccinating the adolescents in our community is critical so our members, mothers, grandmothers, aunts and sisters, can encourage their family members to seek treatment.”