Could is Hepatitis Consciousness Month, once we give attention to elevating consciousness of viral hepatitis whereas encouraging testing and vaccination. Hepatitis Consciousness Month actions assist to enhance everybody’s understanding of viral hepatitis transmission and threat elements and to lower social stigma in opposition to viral hepatitis.
Whereas we’ve got the instruments and a transparent roadmap to cease the unfold of viral hepatitis, we nonetheless must give attention to elevating consciousness of the illness, how folks get it, how we are able to stop it, and the way we are able to scale back social stigma. Our success is determined by energetic participation in a strategic and coordinated response to make use of the instruments we’ve got to forestall, and finally get rid of viral hepatitis as a public well being risk in america.
Each hepatitis A and hepatitis B are preventable with protected and efficient vaccines, and hepatitis C is curable with prescribed remedy. Presently, there may be an estimated 862,000 and a couple of.4 million folks residing with hepatitis B and hepatitis C in america, respectively. But roughly two-thirds of individuals residing with hepatitis B and nearly half of individuals residing with hepatitis C, have no idea they’ve the virus. To extend the variety of folks which can be conscious of their standing, the CDC now recommends hepatitis B screening and testing for all adults aged 18 years and older a minimum of as soon as of their lifetime. CDC continues to suggest hepatitis C screening for all adults aged 18 years and older a minimum of as soon as of their lifetime.
The hepatitis B vaccine remains to be one of the best device we’ve got at stopping the quick and long-term results of hepatitis B virus, together with cirrhosis, liver most cancers and early dying. Presently, solely an estimated 30% of adults in america are vaccinated in opposition to hepatitis B. To extend hepatitis B vaccination protection, the CDC now recommends hepatitis B vaccination for all adults ages 19-59 in addition to adults aged 60 years and older with or with out identified dangers elements for hepatitis B.
Because the Assistant Secretary for Well being, making certain equitable approaches to growing entry to viral hepatitis testing, vaccination, and remedy, notably for populations at larger threat of an infection, is a precedence for me. Eliminating obstacles that will increase entry to get extra folks screened for hepatitis B and hepatitis C, in addition to vaccinated for hepatitis B.
This Could, throughout Hepatitis Consciousness Month, I encourage you, to share data and implement the newly up to date screening, testing, and vaccination suggestions for hepatitis B and hepatitis C to extend entry to life-saving therapies.
Right here is how one can get entangled:
- All through the month of Could, assist unfold the phrase about viral hepatitis to your networks, utilizing CDC’s Hepatitis Consciousness Month social media toolkit.
- Could nineteenth is Hepatitis Testing Day, a day devoted to elevating consciousness of hepatitis B and hepatitis C, whereas encouraging everybody to be taught their standing. I urge healthcare suppliers to include screening and vaccination for hepatitis B and screening for hepatitis C into all scientific settings, together with hurt discount, behavioral well being, pharmacies, and HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STI) remedy amenities.
- Could thirtieth, at 1:00 pm-2:30 pm EST, be a part of me and specialists throughout the Division of Well being and Human Companies (HHS) for a webinar to be taught extra concerning the Federal Implementation of Up to date Viral Hepatitis Screening and Vaccination Suggestions. This webinar will convey collectively federal representatives from the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention (CDC), Facilities for Medicare & Medicaid Companies (CMS), Well being Assets and Companies Administration (HRSA), Indian Well being Service (IHS), and the Division of Veterans Affairs (VA).
Learn the Viral Hepatitis Nationwide Strategic Plan for the U.S.: A Roadmap to Elimination 2021-2025 to be taught concerning the imaginative and prescient we set ahead to reverse the charges of viral hepatitis, stop new infections, enhance care and remedy and in the end get rid of viral hepatitis as a public well being risk in america. You too can learn the Viral Hepatitis Federal Implementation Plan to be taught concerning the insurance policies, analysis, and actions that my federal colleagues intend to place into follow to satisfy the objectives of the nationwide plan.
All of us should work collectively to place these new suggestions into motion to assist stop new viral hepatitis infections, which mixed with elevated testing, vaccination, and remedy, will transfer us nearer in the direction of eliminating viral hepatitis in america.
