Finally, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has done something right. Since we started this long journey called the Bush Administration, this government agency has grown increasingly more conservative with horrible consequences. Several physicians who favored comprehensive sex education and non-stigmatized reporting for HIV and other similar issues were forced out. The CDC has begun funding a group that promotes abstinence-only education for medical students. And, to top it all off, they have "pro-life lobby days" listed in their calendar of events. Until they get some pro-choice lobby days up there too, I'm not ok with that.But, the CDC did what it needed to do a few days ago when it recommended the HPV vaccine for all girls ages 11 to 12 (including recommending it for a program that will serve uninsured girls). Of course they cannot make it mandatory. Why, you ask? Because some people in this country feel that a vaccine against cancer will give youngsters a sense of sexual freedom (the vaccine prevents HPV - an STI - which causes most cervical cancers). That's HPV in the picture, by the way. It boggles my mind that there are people out there who would op out of giving their daughters a vaccine that would decrease their chances of cervical cancer by 80%. Of course, these same people probably think that their own daughters would not be at risk. Considering that most of the sexually active adult population has HPV, I'd say they're guessing wrong.But all of that aside, three cheers for the CDC for not caving in to political pressure and doing what is scientifically and medically right. Finally.Who else has blogged about this?Markham's Behavioral HealthSex in the Public Square