Why is ACOG opposed to telling the truth about HPV and condoms?
ACOG has been AWOL in the fight against HPV. ACOG opposes efforts to make HPV a reportable disease. Without proper surveillance- now made easier with the development of a HPV test- it is nearly impossible to determine the extent of the epidemic or to develop effective prevention interventions. Disease reporting has played a key role in prevention for decades and needs to be part of any strategy to address HPV. ACOG opposes the requirement to educate the public about HPV and the lack of condom effectiveness against HPV transmission. By withholding this information, individuals at risk will be denied information that could protect the public health and even save lives. ACOG also opposes the “truth in advertising” provision which would require condom packages to bear information stating that HPV can cause cervical cancer and that condoms do not prevent the transmission of HPV. ACOG is instead recommending that condoms merely state the “effectiveness” of condoms against sexually transmitte
