Cervical cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths among women in Latin America and the Caribbean. Of the 80,000 new cases and 36,000 cervical cancer deaths reported in the Americas each year, Latin American and Caribbean countries account for the vast majority.

In January 2007, Sabin joined forces with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to conduct a comprehensive study of HPV epidemiological data in Latin America, in an attempt to address this alarming global health concern.

While differences in resources and existing screening programs highlight the challenges faced by each country in deciding whether vaccination is affordable, even if it may be cost-effective, researchers concluded that half a million cervical cancer deaths could be prevented over ten years with the introduction of the HPV vaccine in the region. Establishing the burden of disease is one of the initial steps to accelerating vaccine introduction. Therefore, several studies around the world are currently being conducted to learn more about the burden of cervical cancer and the economics of various treatments and vaccination strategies.