“We weren’t allowed to talk about these things back then.” 

That was one of the first remarks shared during a recent focus group on HPV awareness in Cameron County, and it stayed with us. In a community where silence around sexual health is often generational, simply creating space for conversation marked a powerful first step. 

This year, Cameron County Public Health launched a coordinated effort to address low HPV vaccination rates through a community-informed education campaign. Developed in collaboration with our Clinical Services and Community Engagement programs, the initiative was rooted in both local data and lived experience. Together, we created bilingual educational materials and facilitated conversations grounded in evidence-based information, equity, and trust. 

Cameron County, located at the southernmost tip of Texas, faces unique challenges. Within its predominantly Hispanic population, cultural beliefs and stigma have often limited conversations about the HPV vaccine. Historically, the focus on HPV as a sexually transmitted infection led to hesitation among many families. 

What made the difference was shifting the message to highlight what truly matters: the vaccine prevents cancer. 

When parents learned that the HPV vaccine protects against cervical, throat, and other life-threatening cancers, they were far more open and engaged. The conversation moved from discomfort to empowerment. In both Spanish and English, our focus group sessions helped validate concerns, provide clarity, and foster open dialogue between parents and children. 

This initiative did more than deliver public health education. It gave families the tools to protect their children, opened space for generational change, and reframed sexual health as a vital part of preventive care. When science met cultural understanding, trust began to grow and with it, progress.

Author: Andrea Gomez, Director of Community Engagement, Cameron County Public Health, TX