Students leading the way on HPV awareness
Belmont High School Wellness Youth Advocates at an HPV awareness tabling event
HPV is one of the most common infections in the United States and one of the most preventable causes of several types of cancer. While most HPV infections go away on their own, some can lead to cervical, throat, and other cancers years later. The good news is we have a safe, effective vaccine that can protect young people before they’re ever exposed.
Why the HPV vaccine is so important
The HPV vaccine works best when given during adolescence, long before exposure to the virus. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends vaccination starting at age 11 or 12, but it can be given as early as age 9 and up through age 26.
Research shows the vaccine can prevent more than 90% of HPV-related cancers, including oropharyngeal (throat) cancers, which are now more common among men than women. In fact, oral HPV infections are rising among males, making vaccination critical for all genders and not just females.
Christopher Ramos
As Christopher Ramos, a 12th grader at Belmont High School and Wellness Youth Advocate (WYAs), shared, “It’s important for students to know about the HPV vaccine because they can understand all that it helps prevent and why this vaccine really matters.” His words remind us that awareness is often the first step toward prevention.
Youth voices making a difference
At The L.A. Trust, our Wellness Youth Advocates are taking the lead in spreading awareness about HPV prevention. Through school-based outreach, peer education campaigns, and creative social media engagement, our WYAs are helping demystify the vaccine and empower students to take charge of their health.
Christopher explained that he often encourages his peers to get curious: “I let them know how important the HPV vaccine is, so they have the curiosity to learn more about it.” When students hear about the vaccine from someone their own age, the message feels more relatable and real.
He also hears a lot of common questions, especially about what exactly the vaccine prevents. “A question many ask is what the vaccine can prevent,” he said. “I explain that the vaccine can help prevent not only the virus but also many types of cancers.”
Their message is simple: Prevention is power. As Christopher puts it, “When we know how to prevent HPV or any other disease, we have the power to decide if we want to prevent it or not.”
Access where it matters most
The L.A. Trust partners with LAUSD Wellness Centers across the district to make preventive care, including the HPV vaccine accessible for students. These centers offer a safe, youth-friendly environment where students can receive vaccinations, health education, and holistic support from trusted providers.
Being part of the WYA program has also given students like Christopher the confidence to start these important conversations. “Being a WYA helped me gain the courage to talk about health topics that for many are really difficult to talk about,” he said. “It gave me the chance to share this information with people my age.”
Every vaccine given is one more step toward a healthier, cancer-free future for our young people.