Sex disparities of vaccine-preventable cancer mortality in Latin America

This analysis estimated productivity losses and assessed sex disparities due to vaccine-preventable cancer deaths from hepatitis B virus (HBV) and human papillomavirus (HPV) in Latin America.

The number of deaths and years of life lost (YLL) for 19 Latin American countries were sourced from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation Global Burden of Disease (2019) for cervical, oral cavity, laryngeal, oropharyngeal, and HBV-related hepatic cancers. Attributable fractions were applied to estimate HPV-related mortality. The value of YLL (VYLL) was estimated using country-specific GDP per capita and discounted at 3%. Sensitivity and scenario analyses were conducted.

In 2019, 38,786 vaccine-preventable cancer deaths resulted in over 1.1 million YLL and $5.9 billion VYLL across Latin America. Cervical cancer accounted for 81.6% of deaths and $4.9 billion in VYLL, with females representing 87.0% of the total VYLL. For males, hepatic cancer was the highest VYLL at $295 million and oral cavity the lowest ($94 million). AYLL was higher in females (30 years) than males (27 years).

HBV- and HPV-related cancers impose a significant economic and mortality burden in Latin America, with marked sex disparities. Cervical cancer remains the dominant contributor among females, while males are disproportionately affected by head and neck and hepatic cancers. These findings underscore the need for sex-specific public health strategies, including expanded vaccination, improved screening, and timely treatment access across the region.