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Declaring May 2014 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 the profile of Viral Hepatitis as an urgent local health priority.
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WHEREAS, Viral Hepatitis is inflammation of the liver, that can be caused by viruses including the Hepatitis B Virus and the Hepatitis C Virus; and
WHEREAS, Hepatitis B is the world's most serious common liver infection that is caused by the Hepatitis B Virus; causes over 80% of primary liver cancer cases in the world; disproportionately impacts people of Asian and Pacific Islander descent, with nearly one in ten Asian Americans being chronically infected with Hepatitis B; and will result in the premature death of 1 in 4 chronically infected persons from cirrhosis, liver cancer or liver failure; and
WHEREAS, There are 3,000 new cases among Philadelphians every year, the majority of those infected are unaware of their infection, infection rates in Philadelphia Asian communities range from 4%-23%, and less than 40% of high-risk individuals are vaccinated against Hepatitis B; and
WHEREAS, Hepatitis B is completely preventable with a safe and effective vaccine; and can be diagnosed with a simple blood test and treated with approved therapies to control the disease and stop progression to liver cancer, liver failure and death; and the United States Preventive Services Task Force updated their recommendation in February, 2014 for all high-risk individuals, including most foreign-born individuals, to be tested for Hepatitis B; and
WHEREAS, Hepatitis C is a serious liver infection caused by the Hepatitis C Virus; causes severe liver conditions including fibrosis, cirrhosis and liver cancer; over 40,000 Philadelphians are living with Hepatitis C; up to 75% of the people infected with Hepatitis C don't know they have it; and
WHEREAS, A Cure for Hepatitis C is now avai...
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