SR574: SR574 The Susan Jolley Foundation, the Georgia Cancer Control Consortium, and Cancer Pathways; recognize

26 LC 112 3718 Senate Resolution 574 By: Senator Rhett of the 33rd A RESOLUTION Recognizing and commending The Susan Jolley Foundation, the Geo rgia Cancer Control1 Consortium (a program of the Georgia Department of Public Health), and Cancer Pathways2 for their exemplary contributions to cervical cancer education and awareness in Georgia; and3 for other purposes.4 WHEREAS, January is designated by the United States Congress as Cervical Cancer5 Awareness Month; and6 WHEREAS, The Susan Jolley Foundation, the Georgia Cancer Control Consortium, HPV7 Cancer Free GA, and Cancer Pathways are steadfastly committed t o advancing HPV8 awareness and cervical cancer elimination, prevention, screening, and education throughout9 Georgia; and10 WHEREAS, in recognition of their impactful work, Sharon J Hill and Demetrius Geiger are11 hereby honored as the 2026 Georgia HPV Community Champions; and12 WHEREAS, statewide, Georgia's cervical cancer screening (Pap te st and/or HPV testing)13 rate is estimated around 76.5 percent, slightly below the natio nal median of 77.7 percent,14 leaving approximately one in five women unscreened; and15 S. R. 574 - 1 - 26 LC 112 3718 WHEREAS, significant geographical disparities exist within Geor gia, including Forsyth,16 McIntosh, Towns, and Franklin counties reporting cervical cancer screening rates lower than17 60 percent, underscoring inequities in access and outreach; and18 WHEREAS, as of 2023, 63 percent of Georgia adolescents (ages 13-17) are "up to date" on19 the HPV vaccination series—below the Healthy People 2030 target of 80 percent and lagging20 behind the United States average of 77 percent for at least one dose; and21 WHEREAS, in Georgia, an estimated 327 new cases of cervical can cer are diagnosed22 annually, with approximately 204 deaths due to the disease each year; and23 WHEREAS, cervical cancer is most frequently diagnosed in the 35 -44 age group—the24 average United States age at diagnosis is about 50, and nearly 20 percent of cases occur after25 age 65. While many guidelines permit cessation of screening after 65 in individuals with a26 long history of normal results, those lacking such history shou ld continue appropriate27 surveillance; and28 WHEREAS, as of recent data, 82 of Georgia's 159 counties have no OB/GYN provider, and29 15 counties have only one OB/GYN, thereby limiting access to re productive health and30 screening services; and31 WHEREAS, Black and Hispanic women in Georgia experience disprop ortionately higher32 incidence and mortality from HPV-associated cervical cancer, reflecting persistent racial and33 ethnic health disparities; and 34 WHEREAS, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Preve ntion (CDC) and the35 Georgia Department of Public Health, Black women in Georgia are nearly 1.5 times more36 S. R. 574 - 2 - 26 LC 112 3718 likely to be diagnosed with cervical cancer and more than twice as likely to die from the37 disease compared to other women, due in part to barriers such as limited access to care, lack38 of insurance, transportation challenges, and under-screening; and39 WHEREAS, the disparities are further compounded by social deter minants of40 health—including income, geography, and healthcare infrastructu re—that limit equitable41 access to HPV vaccination, early screening, and timely follow-u p care in many rural and42 underserved communities; and43 WHEREAS, eliminating these disparities requires continued collaboration among state and44 local health agencies, advocacy organizations, and community leaders to expand prevention45 programs, improve culturally competent outreach, and ensure that all Georgians—regardless46 of race, ethnicity, or zip code—benefit from the life-saving potential of HPV vaccination and47 cervical cancer screening; and48 WHEREAS, cervical cancer is among the most preventable and treatable cancers due to the49 availability of effective screening and the HPV vaccine; estima tes suggest that up to 9550 percent of cervical cancers could be avoided through widespread HPV vaccination, regular51 screening, and timely intervention; and52 WHEREAS, the HPV-associated cancer rate was 13.7/100,000 persons for both males and53 females. This rate is significantly higher than the United States national average of 12.6 per54 100,000 persons. Men in Georgia (12.8) have a significantly higher rate of HPV-associated55 cancers than the United States average (11.4), and women (14.6) have a significantly higher56 rate of HPV-associated cancers than the United States average (13.9); and57 S. R. 574 - 3 - 26 LC 112 3718 WHEREAS, the efforts of The Susan Jolley Foundation, the Georgi a Cancer Control58 Consortium, and Cancer Pathways have elevated public awareness, improved knowledge of59 HPV vaccination and screening, and mobilized community action across Georgia; and60 WHEREAS, this year marks the 11th Anniversary of the advocacy efforts that began as The61 Susan Jolley Awareness Program and now continues as The Susan Jolley Foundation under62 the leadership of President Triana Arnold James.63 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body64 recognize and commend the 2026 Georgia HPV Community Champions for their outstanding65 leadership, dedication, and impact in promoting cervical cancer prevention and health equity66 in Georgia.67 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed68 to make appropriate copies of this resolution available for distribution to The Susan Jolley69 Foundation, the Georgia Cancer Control Consortium, HPV Cancer F ree GA, and Cancer70 Pathways.71 S. R. 574 - 4 -