Closing the HPV Testing Gap Act

This legislation mandates the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to undertake a comprehensive study focused on the development of a standardized, noninvasive test for HPV in men . The bill highlights that the absence of an FDA-approved HPV diagnostic test for men represents a critical gap in public health surveillance, prevention, and treatment, contributing to sustained transmission and inequities in cancer prevention. The study is intended to promote gender equity in cancer prevention and enhance national cancer control outcomes by addressing this deficiency. The NIH Director must conduct this study in consultation with various federal agencies, scientific experts, and research institutions, and establish an interagency working group to ensure coordinated implementation. Key elements of the study include assessing current development, exploring methodologies for multi-site testing, and providing considerations for future implementation, including pilot studies and population-level testing protocols. Ultimately, the NIH Director is required to submit a report to Congress within 30 months, outlining the study's findings, recommendations for developing and implementing such a test, and interagency strategies for integrating HPV testing into national cancer prevention and health equity initiatives.