Hepatitis C News

Week Ending May 19, 2013

Latino Community Rallies To Generate Awareness Of Viral Hepatitis
“During May’s observance of Hepatitis Awareness Month, we also mark National Hispanic Hepatitis Awareness Day (NHHAD). Both of these events highlight the importance of strengthening efforts to address hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection among Latinos. NHHAD is a national community mobilization and social marketing campaign that unites the Hispanic/Latino community in efforts to raise awareness about viral hepatitis; promote hepatitis C testing, prevention and education; and bring attention to other related critical health issues such as HIV co-infection and alcohol use.”

HCV prevalence higher among Asian-Americans
ORLANDO, Fla. – “There was a higher prevalence of hepatitis C infection among Asian-Americans than among non-Asians who received care at a free community clinic, researchers reported at Digestive Disease Week.”

National Hepatitis Testing Day Monday
HONOLULU – “National Hepatitis Testing Day will be observed in Hawaiì on Monday.”

Hep C rising in baby boomers, but can they be treated?
SEATTLE – “If you’re a baby boomer, the United States Centers for Disease Control is recommending you get tested for Hepatitis C, regardless of whether or not you have any other risk factors. But, treatment may not be readily available for newly diagnosed patients, and the Affordable Care Act could make things even worse.”

Health Officials: Hepatitis C Test Needed for MN Baby Boomers
“Attention baby boomers – have you been tested for hepatitis C lately?
The Minnesota Department of Health is reminding people born from 1945 through 1965 to be tested for hepatitis C. The reminder comes for national hepatitis awareness month.”

New hepatitis C testing: Double-whammy for veterans
“Are you a baby boomer’? According to new recommendations by the CDC, if you were born between 1945 and 1965, getting a hepatitis C test should be on the top of your to–do list. Recommendations for hepatitis C testing of Vietnam veterans have been in place for years, but this new recommendation affects an even larger group of Americans. It turns out that people born during these years have the highest rates of hepatitis C (HCV) infection. Yet most don’t know they’re infected because there are often no symptoms and they don’t recall a specific risk.

Hepatitis C Awareness Month | Tacoma, Pierce County Health Department
“May is Hepatitis C Awareness Month, and the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Departments encourages you to check your risk factors for this disease.”

Charlottesville Nonprofit Offering Free Hepatitis C Testing
“An estimated 3.2 million Americans live with chronic hepatitis C, and many of them don't know they have it. Now a nonprofit provides rapid testing and it's one of the first in the region.”

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Early diagnosis is essential to control spread of HCV.