IPVS Policy Statement addressing the burden of HPV disease for Indigenous peoples

The International Papillomavirus Society (IPVS) supports best practice and evidence-based research, strategies, and policies to prevent HPV-related diseases worldwide. With the recent call from the World Health Organization (WHO) to global entities to work towards the elimination of cervical cancer globally as a public health problem, a call supported by IPVS [1], it is vital that principles of equity are central to activity in all countries developing strategies to eliminate cervical cancer as a public health problem. This call for equity is outlined in the related IPVS Policy Statement Equity in cervical cancer prevention for all women. This statement recognises the unequal burden from cervical cancer and other HPV-related diseases that Indigenous peoples face in many areas of the world. With an estimated 370 million Indigenous peoples in 90 countries globally [2], it is paramount that the HPV research and practice community supports culturally appropriate best practices in research and policy to reduce this burden of disease. This statement outlines the origins of this burden, the fundamental requirement to work with Indigenous peoples to reduce this burden, and makes recommendations for actions.