Celebrating HPV Awareness Day 2026 - One More Year Towards Prevention and Awareness
Over the past year, ECO has stepped up its efforts across Europe to prevent the spread of the human papillomavirus (HPV), combining evidence, policy engagement, and regional cooperation to reduce the incidence of HPV-related cancers.
A central priority throughout has been tackling inequalities in access to prevention. This includes our work in Southeast Europe, where we collaborate closely with national and regional partners to highlight gaps in HPV vaccination, screening and public awareness. These efforts helped countries and communities too often left out of European-level discussions by suggesting more tailored and inclusive approaches.
This conversation will continue. On 11 May, 13:00 – 17:30 CEST in Bucharest, ECO will convene another focused event on Southeast Europe, building on lessons learned and collaborations formed. Save the date and stay tuned for more information coming soon!
This next event follows a slew of focused initiatives held throughout 2025:
– In July, at the European Parliament, we brought together policymakers, experts and members of the public to discuss how political leadership can accelerate progress through sustained commitment, improved data monitoring, and scaling up successful strategies across member states
– We also published ‘Closing the Gaps’, our pan-European analysis of cervical cancer screening policies and practices. The report emphasises that cervical cancer is almost entirely preventable, but not if thousands of women are still overlooked by screening programmes every year. It highlights persistent inequalities linked to a woman’s income, locality, disability and migration status, and it provides practical recommendations to strengthen organised HPV-based screening programmes.
– These efforts follow the publication of the 5th edition of the European Code Against Cancer, which recommends strengthening HPV vaccination programmes to maximise their impact, reaching a 90% coverage for both girls and boys. For the first time, we now have a specific target that puts everyone, regardless of gender, on the same equal footing.
As ECO continues its work on HPV prevention, the focus remains clear. Prevention works, but only if it reaches everyone. Ensuring equitable access to vaccination, screening, and follow-up care remains pivotal.
