HPV's Economic Burden: Unmasking the benefits of HPV prevention

Key findings from the report include:

• The Economic Burden of HPV: The overall economic burden of HPV and HPV related cancers such as cervical cancer, within the countries researched, is high but also varies significantly per country based on numerous factors. A full table of the varied Lifetime Cervical Cancer Costs per Country for cases diagnosed in 2024 is available on page 13 within the report but figures range from USD 7.4 Billion in China, USD 644 Million in Mexico, USD 649 Million in South Africa, to USD 10.5 Million in Netherlands, USD 15.5 Million in Romania, and USD 15.2 Million in Poland.

• Large data gaps in HPV: Despite large data gaps in HPV related diseases beyond cervical cancer, a significant economic burden for HPV-related diseases and cancers was identified within the report.

• The Human Impact of HPV: Despite being largely preventable, cervical cancer remains one of the most common cancers globally. It results in 350,000 deaths annually and imposes significant economic strain on healthcare systems.

• Prevention Saves Lives and Money: Achieving the World Health Organization's (WHO) 90-70-90 targets by 2030 could decrease cervical cancer incidence by 42% by 2045 and prevent an estimated 62 million deaths by 2120, with billions saved in healthcare costs across the studied nations. In fact, the economic burden across all 13 countries researched highlights a potential USD 9.7 Billion cost saving for cervical cancer cases diagnosed in a single year if HPV can be eliminated.

• Barriers to Progress: Despite recent progress, the report also reveals that limited vaccine access, healthcare disparities, misinformation, and inconsistent healthcare provider recommendations are significant obstacles in meeting the WHO targets.

April 21, 2025 - The report revealed striving to eliminate HPV across all 13 countries researched could potentially save a combined USD 9.7 Billion in lifetime healthcare costs from cervical cancer cases diagnosed in just one year, illustrating the hight cost of HPV-related diseases.

The new research report was compiled to estimate the economic burden of HPV in 13 selected countries, including, Austria, Brazil, China, France, Germany, Mexico, Poland, Romania, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, the Netherlands and the Philippines, representing different healthcare systems, immunisation programmes, cultural backgrounds, geographic regions, and epidemiological landscapes.

Speaking about the research findings, Prof. Maarten J. Postma, Professor of Pharmacoeconomics at the University of Groningen, said: “This research underscores how each country's progress is shaped by unique healthcare systems, cultural views, investment, and policies. Common barriers include limited access, misinformation, hesitancy, varied provider recommendations, and cultural norms. Addressing these issues can expand prevention efforts, screening, and treatment programs, especially in countries with low coverage. Investing in HPV prevention saves lives and cuts future healthcare costs long-term, saving countries hundreds of millions of dollars per year, and even billions in some cases if elimination can be achieved. Every country can strive to eliminate cervical cancer as a public health issue. The report emphasises that prevention is both a health necessity and an economic benefit, and that prevention is a cost-effective measure with immediate and long-term advantages.”

The findings underline the human and economic benefit of eliminating HPV related diseases globally, in tandem with the WHO global initiative to eliminate HPV related cervical cancer. Beyond cervical cancer, other HPV related cancers, and genital warts can represent significant cost saving for countries if eliminated. Achieving the WHO’s 90-70-90 targets for cervical cancer elimination presents a unique opportunity for policymakers to address the health and economic burden of HPV-related diseases through targeted prevention. As we approach 2025, five years from the WHO target year of 2030, the research illustrates how progress toward the preventive goals set by WHO across the 13 countries researched varies greatly. Disparities in healthcare access, vaccination campaigns, and screening infrastructure, often compounded by socioeconomic factors, affect each country’s ability to meet these targets, influencing the projected year for achieving elimination. While some countries are on track to meet the goals, others lag significantly.