Government of Canada Funds Yukon HPV Awareness Project

January 26, 2012
For immediate release

Fact Sheet: Increasing Awareness and Education of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) in Yukon

(Whitehorse, Yukon) – The Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health, today announced a community-based project to raise awareness of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection among young women, their partners and families.

“By supporting this project, Yukon residents will have better information about the risk factors and prevention practices to help protect themselves against cervical cancer linked to HPV,” said Minister Aglukkaq.HPV is the main risk factor for cervical cancer. Eligible young women can get the HPV vaccine to protect themselves against the two types of HPV that cause approximately 70 per cent of all cervical cancers.

The community-based project will involve First Nations health workers and elders, nurses, and other community members. This project is being carried out by the Arctic Institute of Community-Based Research and the Community Nursing Division of Yukon Government’s Department of Health and Social Services.

“We are pleased to be working with the Government of Canada and the Arctic Institute of Community-Based Research on this project,” said Yukon Health and Social Services Minister Doug Graham. “Awareness is the key to helping women protect themselves against HPV and cervical cancer.”

Community consultations will take place in five different regions of the territory to identify community-specific needs and help shape the project. Along with these consultations, the project will develop HPV awareness tools. Public awareness efforts directed towards youth will include an HPV education program in schools.

For more information, please contact:

Health Canada
Cailin Rodgers
Office of the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq
Federal Minister of Health
(613) 957-0200

Media Relations
Public Health Agency of Canada
(613) 941-8189