Roundup: HPV Vaccine Tied to Steep Decline in Cervical Cancer in Young Women; and More News

HPV Vaccine Linked to Substantial Decline in Cervical Cancer in Women Aged 20-24 

New data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) underscore the significant role the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine plays in preventing cervical cancer, particularly among young women. The vaccine has been linked to a dramatic decline in the rates of precancerous lesions, a key indicator of cervical cancer among women aged 20-24  -- “the age group most likely to have been vaccinated,” the CDC states.

From 2008 to 2022, rates of precancerous lesions in women aged 20-24 screened for cervical cancer dropped by 80 percent. This sharp reduction aligns with the introduction and increasing uptake of the HPV vaccine, which has been shown to dramatically reduce the risk of cervical cancer. The CDC’s findings are part of a larger global trend highlighting the vaccine’s effectiveness in reducing the incidence of cervical cancer, a disease responsible for about 10,800 cases annually in the U.S.

HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the U.S., and certain strains of the virus are known to cause cervical cancer. The virus is responsible for nearly all cervical cancer cases, which makes vaccination efforts critical in the fight against this preventable cancer.

While there was an 80 percent drop in precancerous lesions among women aged 20-24, there was also a 37 percent decrease in the same rates among women aged 25-29. These trends are consistent with the expected outcomes from widespread HPV vaccination, particularly as the vaccine's effects accumulate over time.

The report emphasizes the importance of vaccinating children against HPV at age 11-12, with catch-up vaccination through age 26, as recommended by the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). As the research continues to show, vaccination before exposure to the virus offers the greatest protection, which is why health experts recommend vaccinating children around the age of 11 or 12.

The CDC concludes: “Observed declines in cervical precancers are consistent with HPV vaccination impact and support Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommendations to vaccinate children against HPV at age 11–12 years, with catch-up through age 26 years.”

Related article: Cervical Cancer: HPV Vaccine Most Important Tool for Prevention

Global Analysis: More Than Half of Adults, One-Third of Children/Adolescents will be Overweight or Obese by 2050

A new global analysis predicts that by 2050 more than half of the world’s adult population, and a third of all children and adolescents, will be living with overweight or obesity. Researchers say the findings underscore the health threat posed by rising obesity rates, which are expected to result in severe long-term consequences for individuals and healthcare systems worldwide.

The new study published in The Lancet is from the Global Burden of Disease Study BMI Collaborators, which refers to the extensive network of medical researchers and experts who contribute to the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study, specifically focusing on the impact of body mass index (BMI) on health.

According to the study, the number of adults aged 25 and older living with overweight or obesity has already surged from 731 million in 1990 to 2.11 billion in 2021. Similarly, the number of children and adolescents (aged 5-24) affected has risen from 198 million in 1990 to 493 million in 2021.

If current trends continue, these figures are projected to climb even higher. By 2050, the study forecasts that 60 percent of the global adult population—approximately 3.8 billion people—will be living with overweight or obesity, with 1.95 billion individuals experiencing obesity specifically.

In a separate study released in December, the GBD researchers projected that obesity among U.S. adults, which is currently at about 40 percent, will likely surge to more than 65 percent by 2050.

"The unprecedented global epidemic of overweight and obesity is a profound tragedy and a monumental societal failure," said Professor Emmanuela Gakidou, lead author of the study from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME), University of Washington, in a statement. "Governments and the public health community can use our country-specific estimates on the stage, timing, and speed of current and forecasted transitions in weight to identify priority populations experiencing the greatest burdens of obesity who require immediate intervention and treatment."

The study also highlights the disproportionate impact on younger populations. Obesity among children and adolescents is predicted to rise by 121 percent, with the number of affected individuals reaching 360 million by 2050—an additional 186 million from 2021. This surge underscores the urgent need for global efforts to address obesity, particularly in children, where prevention strategies could yield long-term benefits.

In the United States, the prevalence of obesity is notably high, with nearly 42 percent of adult men and 46 percent of adult women suffering from obesity. However, the problem is not limited to high-income countries.

The study predicts that regions like Asia and sub-Saharan Africa will experience some of the largest increases in obesity rates, driven by both population growth and changing lifestyle factors. By 2050, sub-Saharan Africa is expected to see a 250 percent increase in obesity rates, with the number of affected adults soaring to 522 million. China, India, and the USA will continue to have the largest numbers of adults with overweight and obesity, but the rapid population growth in other regions will contribute to a dramatic rise in global numbers.

CDC Reports Significant Decline in Drug Overdose Deaths

The latest provisional data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) signals a significant decrease in drug overdose deaths across the nation -- a nearly 24 percent decline for the 12 months ending in September 2024, compared to the previous year.

The data, derived from the National Vital Statistics System, reveals that about 87,000 drug overdose deaths occurred during this period, down from approximately 114,000 the previous year. This marks the lowest number of overdose deaths in any 12-month period since June 2020, the CDC said.

“It is unprecedented to see predicted overdose deaths drop by more than 27,000 over a single year. That's more than 70 lives saved every day," stated Allison Arwady, M.D., director of CDC's National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, in a news release.

Dr. Arwady attributed the decline to a combination of factors, including enhanced public health investments, better data and laboratory systems, and the CDC's close collaboration with local and state partners.

“CDC's public health investments, our improved data and laboratory systems for overdose response, and our partnerships with public safety colleagues in every state mean that we are more rapidly identifying emerging drug threats and supporting public health prevention and response activities in communities across America," she added.

While the overall decline in overdose deaths is a positive trend, the CDC reminds the public that overdose remains the leading cause of death among Americans aged 18-44. This underscores the ongoing need for sustained efforts to combat the overdose crisis. The opioid overdose epidemic, initially declared a public health emergency by President Trump in 2017, continues to require vigilance and response. This emergency designation remains in place, and significant public health investments have been made to address the issue.

The recent data highlights that 45 states saw a decline in overdose deaths, but five states—Alaska, Montana, Nevada, South Dakota, and Utah—experienced an uptick in fatalities. This variance stresses the importance of localized data and tailored responses to effectively tackle the overdose crisis at the state and community levels.

In addition to the reduction in fatal overdoses, nonfatal overdoses, as measured by emergency department visits, also showed a decrease

Several factors have contributed to this progress. Widespread distribution of naloxone, a life-saving medication that can reverse opioid overdoses, has been key. Access to evidence-based treatment for substance use disorders has also expanded, helping individuals recover and reduce the risk of overdose. Furthermore, changes in the illegal drug supply, as well as a return to pre-pandemic levels of prevention and response activities, have also played a role.

While the recent decline in overdose deaths is a promising sign, the CDC emphasizes that continued efforts are necessary to sustain this progress and address the ongoing challenges posed by substance use in the United States.