What the Health?

Ep. 6 HPV Ends With Me

In the latest episode of What the Health? we dive into CCAP Across The Map's efforts to raise awareness and increase education through our initiative, HPV Ends With Me. We welcome back the co-founders of CCAP Across The Map, Jillian Leaver and Hunter Ackerley to discuss this important educational initiative. HPV is the most prevalent sexually-transmitted infection globally; however, knowledge and awareness about the disease are shockingly limited. To address the disparities of information and combat misinformation, Jillian and Hunter talk about our organization's work to education students of different age groups about HPV prevention. Combining accessible and engaging curriculum and partnering with community organizations in the United States and Mexico, HPV Ends With Me has reached hundreds of young adults and dramatically increased knowledge about HPV and how to improve health outcomes. 

Ep. 5 Transcervix

In this episode of What the Health? we discuss our domestic initiative, Transcervix.
As part of our mission to raise awareness and prevention of cervical cancer, particularly among underserved communities, CCAP Across The Map launched a program to address disparities in preventive screenings among transmasculine individuals. Our initiative, Transcervix, includes an IRB-approved study which will help us better understand the barriers to transmasculine care and ultimately reduce the risk of cervical cancer among this vulnerable population. Our research has shown that transmasculine individuals are significantly less likely to receive preventive screenings than cis women. We are proud to have partnered with the University of Arizona and the University of Louisville in this important work. 
In this episode, we sit down with the co-founders of CCAP Across The Map, Jillian Leaver and Hunter Ackerley to discuss the goals of the Trancervix program, and how we are working to #SaveTheCervix by addressing health disparities.

Ep. 4 Paps for POC

Welcome back to What the Health? In this episode, we highlight CCAP Across The Map's domestic initiative to expand access to preventive care, Paps for POC.Our research shows that People of Color (POC) in the United States are more likely to be uninsured, have higher incidence of cervical cancer, and have a higher mortality rate than white populations. CCAP Across The Map has partnered with the American Medical Women's Association (AMWA) at the Mayo Clinic Arizona and St. Vincent DePaul Clinic to address these disparities in the Phoenix, Arizona area. We are actively recruiting POC to receive free Pap smears, an important preventative measure against cervical cancer, and inviting them to participate in a survey to gather further information on how to better help underserved populations. In this episode of What the Health? we speak with CCAP Across The Map co-founders, Jillian Leaver and Hunter Ackerley about how this project began, their passion for eliminating health disparities, and the most rewarding aspects of this initiative. Tune in!  

Ep. 3 CCAP in Senegal

As part of our series on CCAP Across The Map's initiatives, this episode focuses on CCAP in Senegal. Launched in July 2022, CCAP in Senegal was a joint project with our partner organization, Nouroudine Mobile Clinic (NMC) . The initiative involved working with Senegalese midwives to provide free cervical cancer screenings to the community. In addition, we conducted educational seminars that focused on cancer prevention and promoting overall health. 
Co-founders Jillian Leaver and Hunter Ackerley join us on the podcast to discuss their time in Senegal, the challenges and opportunities of language and cultural differences, and the cooperative process of working with our partners in the region to meet the needs of the community.

Ep. 2 CCAP in Ghana

As part of our series on CCAP Across The Map's initiatives, this episode focuses on CCAP in Ghana. Launched in July 2022, CCAP in Ghana was a joint project with our partner organizations, CervCa is Real and the Ghana Registered Midwifes Association (GRMA). The initiative involved conducting educational seminars, training Ghanaian midwives in cancer screening and prevention, and teaching local students about prevention and healthy behaviors. 
Co-founders Jillian Leaver and Hunter Ackerley join us on the podcast to discuss their time in Ghana, the preparation and planning that goes into an international initiative, their favorite memories, and our work with our invaluable partners in Ghana. 

Ep. 1 CCAP in Mexico

In the first episode of season 2 of What the Health?, we are joined by co-founders, Jillian Leaver and Hunter Ackerley to discuss CCAP Across The Map's first international initiative, CCAP in Mexico. We talk about the work and preparation that goes in to organizing and launching international initiatives, including developing educational material, working with volunteers, sharing resources, and designing a sustainable program. Jillian and Hunter share their personal experiences and memories from their time in Mexico and plans for the future. 

Ep. 6 Cervical Cancer Prevention and Advocacy

In the latest episode of What The Health? CCAP Across The Map Co-Founders Jillian Leaver and Hunter Ackerley talk to Dr. Gail Peterson Hock. Dr. Hock's practice has spanned hospital and school nursing, family planning, and a decade as nursing faculty. Her clinical practice largely focuses on raising immunization awareness and rates in collaboration with The Arizona Partnership for Immunization, the Arizona Cancer Coalition, and the National Cervical Cancer Coalition.Dr. Hock talks with Jillian and Hunter about HPV and it's links to cervical cancer, the importance of getting the HPV vaccine, how to advocate for immunizations and health policies, and the human side of cervical cancer. 

Ep. 5 The HPV Vaccine

In this episode of What The Health? CCAP Across The Map members Erin Baughman and Michael McPhie discuss the HPV vaccine. Nearly all cases of cervical cancer are caused by the human papillomavirus, or HPV. It is also responsible for the majority of cases of  vulvar, vaginal, anal, penile, and orophangeal cancer. In addition, HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the United States. The HPV vaccine was introduced in the U.S. in 2006 and since then there have been hundreds of millions of doses given in over 130 nations around the world, leading to a dramatic decline in HPV and HPV related cancers.Erin and Michael talk about the impact of the vaccine, recommendations on when to get it, and policies that have shaped the fight against HPV and many forms of cancer. 

Ep. 4 Preventative Screenings

In this episode of What The Health? we interview the co-founders of CCAP Across the Map, Jillian Leaver and Hunter Ackerley. We have an in-depth discussion about one of the most important factors in preventing cervical cancer, diagnostic screenings. They talk about the different screening methods, such as Pap smears, HPV tests, VIA, and HPV self-sampling. We go over the pros and cons of each method and why they are so important to the prevention of cervical cancer. 

Ep. 3 The Impact and Prevention of Cervical Cancer

Cervical cancer is a highly preventable and treatable disease yet the World Health Organization has identified it as the fourth most common form of cancer among people with cervixes globally. In this episode, we interview Yolanda Robinson, a member of the Initiatives Committee with CCAP Across The Map, who brings years of knowledge and experience in public health to discuss the impact and prevention of cervical cancer. She explains the causes, symptoms, and best methods for prevention and treatment. In addition, we have an important discussion about the disparities that exist for underserved communities who face barriers to accessing care and existing attitudes and beliefs that make cervical health more difficult.