Some parents have raised concerns that vaccinating young girls against HPV, a sexually transmitted illness, might lead to more unsafe sexual activity in these girls. New evidence, however, suggests that's not the case — and the vaccine could prevent serious health problems.

Designing effective ways to reduce both teen pregnancy and unsafe sex requires knowing how many girls are actually having sex and using contraception.

One of the benefits of immunization is that a large enough population of vaccinated individuals can often provide protection even for those not vaccinated in the community.

The vaccine recommended for boys and girls to prevent HPV, an infection that can cause cervical and other cancers, has been shown not to cause diabetes, lupus or similar diseases in young women.

A recent study from Ohio State University reveals the importance of mothers talking to their daughters about the human papillomavirus (HPV) and its vaccine.