An Analysis of Health Communication Strategies for Promoting Human Papillomavirus Vaccination in China

我国人乳头瘤病毒疫苗接种促进的健康传播策略探析

Authors

Qingshuang WEI

School of Public Health, Fudan University

Qing CONG

Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Early Cervical and Vaginal Diseases, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University

Xiaonian LU

Department of Dermatology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University

Xuelian ZHAO

National Cancer Center

National Clinical Research Center for Cancer

Department of Epidemiology, Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College

Fan WANG (Corresponding Author)

Fudan Development Institute

Institute of Health Communication, Fudan University

Abstract

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection is a long-standing major concern in the global public health field. HPV vaccination is a critical pathway for preventing related diseases and promoting herd immunity. With the initial approval of male indications for the HPV vaccine in China in early 2025, enhancing information acquisition, risk perception, vaccination willingness, and behavioral conversion among the male population has emerged as a new public health priority. From the perspective of health communication, this paper reveals the gender communication imbalance in the current promotion of the HPV vaccine in China. By analyzing the behavioral mechanisms of vaccination among the male population, it proposes optimizing health communication pathways. The core strategy involves untie it from the 'female-only narrative,' and focus on HPV risks and vaccine benefits to advance the reconstruction of public perceptions of the HPV vaccine and promote behavioral change. Furthermore, the paper emphasizes the need to leverage the synergistic social support from disease control and prevention institutions, the healthcare system, families, and schools. This will facilitate the implementation of an HPV vaccination strategy that includes both males and females in China, steering the public health system towards a more equitable, inclusive, and sustainable direction.

Keywords

Human Papillomavirus Vaccine; Health Communication; Gender Bias; Vaccination Promotion

Translated by Yiqian YANG

Full text in Chinese available at:

https://fddi.fudan.edu.cn/b7/35/c19046a767797/page.htm