Path to equity: expanding Access to cancer-preventing vaccination for adults and juveniles in European carceral settings

ongoing

The PACE project aims to reduce the burden of cancers caused by HPV and viral hepatitis (HBV, HCV) in adults and juveniles in European carceral settings, populations that face significant health inequities due to structural, cultural and operational barriers to care. Using a participatory and intersectional methodology, PACE integrates evidence-based practices with scalable, locally adapted interventions to improve vaccination, screening and linkage to care, promoting sustainable health outcomes for underserved populations. Structured around seven work packages and involving seven participating countries, the core of PACE is to identify, adapt and implement best practices through pathfinder interventions that address local needs and provide scalable models for prison systems. These efforts will lead to the development of the Prison Implementation Compass, a practical framework for replicating the processes. PACE strengthens monitoring and evaluation through a multi-country network of prison sentinels, enabling high-quality data collection and standardised assessment using a minimum data set and monitoring tools. Capacity-building activities empower health professionals, prison staff and other stakeholders to sustain and scale up these interventions. The project also emphasises collaboration through an international professional network, facilitating ongoing knowledge exchange and policy advocacy. Policy dialogue and recommendations will further ensure the integration of PACE findings into national and EU health strategies, in line with the WHO Hepatitis Elimination Goals and the EU Beating Cancer Plan. PACE provides a framework for sustainable, equitable and replicable health interventions in carceral settings, ultimately contributing to improved public health outcomes and reduced inequalities across Europe.