Back to School: Why HPV Education Still Belongs in Iowa Classrooms

Author: Val Cumming

As we head into a new school year, there’s a lot for educators to prepare for—from keeping up with the latest classroom trends to ensuring students receive the most accurate, age-appropriate, and comprehensive sexual health education. One topic that’s especially important this school year is HPV education, and I want to take a moment to talk about why it still belongs in Iowa classrooms.

In 2023, HPV (Human Papillomavirus) education was removed from the list of required topics in Iowa’s Human Growth and Development mandate, the legal framework that ensures adolescent sexual health is taught in public schools. This change left many educators and parents confused. If it’s no longer required, does that mean HPV can’t be mentioned at all in public schools? Can educators still discuss HPV prevention methods, like the HPV vaccine? The answer is yes—while it’s no longer mandated, there’s nothing stopping educators from continuing to teach this vital topic.

As a Certified Sexual Health Educator who specializes in training youth-serving adults how to teach sex ed, I can say with confidence that just because it’s no longer required by the state doesn’t mean it’s not important. In fact, I believe it’s more crucial than ever to keep teaching our students about HPV. Read on for my thoughts and click on the bolded text to access links along the way for even more information.

Why Was HPV Education Removed from the Mandate?

We can’t be entirely sure why HPV education was removed from Iowa’s Human Growth and Development mandate. However, we want to assume the decision was not made with the intent to put people in harm’s way or withhold important health information from students. The removal likely reflects broader changes in state educational priorities, with a shift toward more local control over curriculum choices.

While some might see this as a way to allow schools flexibility in what they teach, it’s crucial to remember that HPV remains a significant public health issue. Removing HPV from the mandate doesn’t mean it can’t or shouldn’t be taught—it just means it’s up to schools and educators to ensure it remains part of their curriculum.

Why HPV Education Is Still So Important

HPV is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections, affecting nearly 80 million Americans. Despite this, many students don’t fully understand what HPV is, how it spreads, or the serious health risks it can pose, including certain types of cancer. According to the 2023 Cancer in Iowa report from the Iowa Cancer Registry, Iowa ranks second in the country for overall cancer incidence rates and is the only state where cancer rates continue to rise. This includes leading the nation in cases of oral cavity and pharyngeal cancers, both of which can be linked to HPV. The solution? Prevention education.

By teaching students early about HPV, its risks, and how it's transmitted, we can help them understand the real-world risks they face when engaging in different sexual behaviors. Educators can empower students to make safer choices, including getting vaccinated with the HPV vaccine, using barrier methods like condoms, and staying informed. This type of comprehensive education is key to mitigating those risks and promoting long-term health for our students.

For more insight into why HPV education is so important, I recommend checking out the guest column by our Executive Director, Kristin Fairholm, in the Des Moines Register. She does a great job of explaining why we need to keep this topic front and center, even with changing mandates.

Navigating the Mandate with Confidence

I understand that recent changes to the Iowa Human Growth and Development mandate, along with other law changes, can cause uncertainty for educators when deciding what should still be included in their sex ed lessons. As a result, important topics like HPV education can sometimes be overlooked, especially when educators feel unsure or are pressed for time. Unfortunately, this means students may miss out on vital information about HPV prevention and health.

While the Iowa Human Growth and Development mandate provides a basic framework for sex education and mentions some required topics, it's not a comprehensive list. It’s important to look beyond the mandate and dive deep into the content of the National Sex Education Standards and the Professional Learning Standards for Sex Education. These guidelines offer a thorough framework for covering essential topics at age-appropriate times, ensuring students receive accurate and complete sexual health education, including important information about HPV. When schools consider how to implement sex ed, they need to balance best practices, legal requirements, and the specific dynamics of their student population to ensure their programs are both effective and realistic. By doing so, schools can provide a curriculum that’s comprehensive, compliant, and tailored to the needs of their community.

How EyesOpenIowa Can Support Schools and Educators

At EyesOpenIowa, we’re here to help educators navigate these changes. Whether you need classroom resources, staff training, or advice on integrating HPV education into your lessons, we’re here to provide support. Our goal is to ensure that sex education programs are both effective and comprehensive, while staying legally compliant and practical for schools to implement.

Let’s Work Together This School Year

As we kick off this new school year, let’s make sure we’re providing our students with the information they need to stay healthy and informed. HPV education is a crucial part of that, and I’m here to make sure it remains a priority in Iowa classrooms.

Who do you know that teaches sexual health education in public schools who could use this info? Encourage them to sign up for our newsletter or share this blog with them. Together, we can make a real difference in our students’ lives this school year.