Are there socioeconomic disparities in women having discussions on human papillomavirus vaccine with health care providers?

A sample of 1,631 women aged 18 years and older was drawn from the 2007 Health Information National Trends Survey. Given that only a subgroup of women who were aware of the HPV vaccine were asked if they had a discussion with their HCPs, we estimated a probit model correcting for sample selection.Among those aware of the HPV vaccine, 17.3% of respondents reported having discussions on the vaccine with their HCPs. Compared with Whites, African Americans were less likely to be aware of the HPV vaccine but more likely to have discussions with their HCPs concerning the vaccine. A statistically significant association between lower income and education levels and a lower likelihood of HPV vaccine awareness was observed, but low levels of income and education did not appear to affect the probability of having HPV vaccine discussions with HCPs.Socioeconomically disadvantaged women did not show a lower propensity to have vaccine discussions with their HCPs, suggesting that HCPs can be a major catalyst in increasing vaccine receipt among the higher risk group. The results of the study suggest a two-pronged approach that seeks to raise vaccine awareness among socioeconomically disadvantaged women at the population level and encourages HCPs to intensify discussions about the HPV vaccine with patients.Women at high risk of cervical cancer in the United States tend to have less income, less education, and are likely to belong to racial/ethnic minorities, namely African Americans, Hispanics, and Asians [1-4]. This population also bears the highest prevalence of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection [5,6], which accounts for 99% of all cervical cancers [7]; thus, less educated and lower income minority women would likely benefit the most from receiving the HPV vaccine. Unfortunately, HPV vaccination rates among this group are low, and African Americans and Asians are less likely than Whites to be vaccinated against HPV [8]. Low income levels and lack of medical insurance are also a