Climate change and mental health: an urgent call for strategic action from nursing.

As the most prevalent sexually transmitted illness in the world, human papillomavirus (HPV) is a serious and expanding global public health concern. Most sexually active individuals are exposed to the virus at some point in their lives. Among more than 150 HPV genotypes, 13 are classified as high-risk due to their carcinogenic potential. Persistent HPV infection is responsible for more than 90% of cervical and anal cancers and a substantial proportion of oropharyngeal, penile, vaginal, and vulvar cancers. Globally, approximately 570,000 women and 60,000 men are diagnosed each year with HPV-related cancers, with the highest burden observed in low- and middle-income countries. Cervical cancer remains an important public health problem in Turkey, where HPV infection is the primary etiological factor. Each year, more than 2,000 women are newly diagnosed with cervical cancer, and studies report a wide prevalence range for high-risk HPV types, particularly types 16 and 18. The broad spectrum of cancers associated with HPV highlights that the infection is not only an individual health issue but also a major societal concern. HPV-related diseases are largely preventable through vaccination and education. The World Health Organization aims to eliminate cervical cancer by achieving a 90% HPV vaccination rate among adolescent girls by 2030; however, global vaccination coverage remains low. Factors such as limited knowledge, vaccine hesitancy, socioeconomic barriers, and misconceptions about vaccine safety contribute to low vaccination rates. In Turkey, although HPV vaccines are licensed, they are not included in the national immunization program, further limiting access and uptake.