Racial and ethnic disparities in human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine uptake among United States adults, aged 27–45 years

ABSTRACT

In 2018, the Food and Drug Administration expanded the age of eligibility for the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine to 27 to 45 years. However, it is unclear if there are racial/ethnic disparities in HPV vaccine uptake for this age-group following this expanded recommendation. We aimed to identify any disparities in HPV vaccine in 27 to 45 year-olds based on sociodemographic factors. We analyzed nationally representative, cross-sectional data from the 2019 National Health Interview Survey (n = 9440). Logistic regression models estimated the odds of vaccine uptake (receipt of ≥1 vaccine dose) based on sociodemographic factors. Participants were mostly Non-Hispanic Whites (60.7%) and females (50.9%). In adjusted models, females had over three times greater odds of vaccine uptake compared to males (aOR = 3.58; 95% CI 3.03, 4.23). Also, compared to Non-Hispanic Whites, Non-Hispanic Blacks were 36% more likely (aOR = 1.36; 95% CI 1.09, 1.70), and Hispanics were 27% less likely (aOR = 0.73; 95% CI 0.58, 0.92) to receive the vaccine. Additionally, individuals without a usual place of care had lower odds of vaccine uptake (aOR = 0.72; 95% CI 0.57, 0.93), as were those with lower educational levels (aOR_{high school} = 0.62; 95% CI 0.50, 0.78; aOR_{some college} = 0.83; 95% CI 0.70, 0.98). There are disparities in HPV vaccine uptake among 27 to 45 year-olds, and adult Hispanics have lower odds of receiving the vaccine. Given the vaccine’s importance in cancer prevention, it is critical that these disparities are addressed and mitigated.

KEYWORDS:

• Human papillomavirus (HPV)
• HPV vaccine uptake
• racial disparities
• adults aged 27–45 years
• National Health Interview Survey (NHIS)
• expanded HPV vaccine eligibility
• HPV shared-decision making

Disclosure statement

Dr. Osazuwa-Peters is a scientific advisor to Navigating Cancer.

Additional information

Funding

Dr. Osazuwa-Peters reported receiving grants from the National Institute of Health/National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (K01 DE030916; R01 DE032216; R21 DE032531) outside of the submitted work.