International experts are helping Costa Rica fight against Human Papillomavirus (HPV). Representatives of the National Cancer Institute of the United States and Harvard University are consulting the Guanacaste Epidemiology Project, now called Costa Rican Agency for Biomedical Research (ACIB).
The Institute is a pioneer in the global research on cancer. Its work has focused on cervical cancer and the best ways to prevent it, through early detection and primary prevention with a papilloma vaccine.
On the other hand, Harvard representatives are leaders in the development and application of mathematical and economic models to assess aspects related to the implementation of health policies for women.
The cost-benefit analysis of the application of preventive vaccines, considering the vulnerability of the Costa Rican population, and implementation costs by the social security system, is already being studied by the Ministry of Health.
In Costa Rica, HPV infection is common in young women after they become sexually active, and it is estimated that 80% of sexually-active adults will contract at least one type of virus.