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File #: 220373    Version: 0 Name:
Type: Resolution Status: ADOPTED
File created: 4/28/2022 In control: CITY COUNCIL
On agenda: Final action: 5/5/2022
Title: Declaring May 2022 to be Hepatitis Awareness Month in Philadelphia to recognize and support the joint efforts of "Hep B United Philadelphia" and "Hepatitis C Allies of Philadelphia" coalitions aimed at raising awareness of the link between viral hepatitis and liver cancer and the importance of elimination activities.
Sponsors: Councilmember Oh, Councilmember Bass, Councilmember Parker, Councilmember Gilmore Richardson, Councilmember Green, Councilmember Domb, Councilmember Brooks, Councilmember Gauthier
Attachments: 1. Resolution No. 22037300, 2. Signature22037300
Title
Declaring May 2022 to be Hepatitis Awareness Month in Philadelphia to recognize and support the joint efforts of "Hep B United Philadelphia" and "Hepatitis C Allies of Philadelphia" coalitions aimed at raising awareness of the link between viral hepatitis and liver cancer and the importance of elimination activities.

Body
WHEREAS, Hepatitis B and C viruses are serious public health concerns; an estimated 7 million Americans and approximately 75,000 Philadelphians are living with these viruses, which are leading causes of liver cancer and the most common reason for liver transplants; most people living with hepatitis B and C are not aware of their infection; and

WHEREAS, Hepatitis B is the world's most serious liver infection, causing over 80% of primary liver cancer cases in the world, disproportionately impacting people of Asian, Pacific Islander, and African descent; killing 1 in 4 chronically infected persons prematurely from cirrhosis, liver cancer or liver failure; and

WHEREAS, Hepatitis B is completely preventable with a safe and effective vaccine but less than 40% of high-risk individuals are vaccinated against Hepatitis B; and

WHEREAS, Hepatitis C is the most common bloodborne infection in the U.S. and since a majority of people living with the virus do not even know they are infected, hepatitis C now kills more people than HIV/AIDS; and

WHEREAS, In the U.S., liver cancer is the only cancer that continues to rise in new cases and in deaths each year, for both men and women, primarily due to infections with hepatitis B and hepatitis C; and

WHEREAS, 34,000 people each year are diagnosed with liver cancer in the U.S.; the 5-year survival rate for liver cancer is only 20%; 27,000 people each year die from liver cancer in the U.S.; and

WHEREAS, Hepatitis B and C testing followed by treatment is associated with a 50%-80% reduction in the risk of liver cancer; and

WHEREAS, Over 25,000 Philadelphians are living with hepatitis B, and key populatio...

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