SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb., – Regional West Community Health has received a $70,000 grant from the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services to increase vaccination rates for prevention of human papillomaviruses, also known as HPV, among Scotts Bluff County children ages 11 to 18 years.

Regional West is working in partnership with the Scotts Bluff County Health Department and Community Action Partnership of Western Nebraska to increase local HPV vaccination rates to match national goals. By increasing the HPV vaccination rate, Regional West and its community health partners hope to eventually reduce the number of new cases of cancer related to HPV infection in Scotts Bluff County.

“HPV causes most cervical cancers and a number of other types of cancer in both men and women. It’s the most common sexually transmitted infection,” said Paulette Schnell, RN, MSN, Regional West Community Health Director/Scotts Bluff County Health Director. “Our goal, with the help of this grant, is to increase the number of local adolescents who get the complete series of HPV vaccines. By doing so, we hope to prevent future cases of HPV-related cancer.”

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the Nebraska panhandle. Reducing the incidence of new cancer diagnoses was identified as a priority for Scotts Bluff County public health programs in a 2012 Community Needs Assessment and Health Improvement Plan conducted by Regional West Health Services.

The HHS grant will allow the Scotts Bluff County Health Department, CAPWN, Panhandle Immunization Coalition, and Regional West to expand outreach and education to increase awareness of the incidence and risks of HPV virus, and the benefits of HPV vaccination. In addition, they will improve access to immunizations throughout the county and utilize reminders and monitor completion of the vaccination series.

Regional West will receive the grant over two years at $35,000 per year.

Regional West Health Services in Scottsbluff, Neb., is the parent company of Regional West Medical Center, a 182-bed regional referral center and one of three Level II Trauma Centers in the state. As the region’s only tertiary referral medical center, Regional West offers care that spans more than 32 medical specialties provided by over 28 physician clinics. With nearly 300 providers, and over 2,000 employees, Regional West provides comprehensive and innovative health care services for the people of western Nebraska and the neighboring states of Colorado, South Dakota, and Wyoming.