A Webinar Hosted by The National Harm Reduction Coalition The National Black Leadership Commission on AIDS The Coalition for Positive Health Empowerment New York, New York Thursday, July 26, 2013

What is Viral Hepatitis? “Hepatitis” means inflammation of the liver. Most often Hepatitis is caused by a virus. The most common types in the US are: Hepatitis A Hepatitis B Hepatitis C Viral hepatitis is the leading cause of liver cancer and a common reason for liver transplantation.

How Common are Hepatitis B and C? In the U.S., an estimated 40,000 new Hepatitis B infections occur each year. About 1.4 million people are living with chronic Hepatitis B, and many do not know they are infected. An estimated 3.2 million people in the U.S. have Chronic Hepatitis C. More than 75% of adults with Hepatitis C are baby boomers. Baby boomers are people born from 1945 through Most of them don’t know they are infected.

Incident cases: (annual) 17,000 (2010) Chronic: (prevalent cases) 3.2 Million Deaths: (annual) 15,000 (2010) Viral Hepatitis Epidemiology, Hepatitis C Chronic Hepatitis C in the Context of HIV in the US

Age-adjusted Rates of Mortality Associated for Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and HIV United States, In 2007, > 70% of registered deaths in HCV-infected were aged years old.

National Viral Hepatitis Action Plan - United States, Educating providers and communities to reduce health disparities 2. Strengthening surveillance to detect viral hepatitis transmission and disease 3. Eliminating transmission of vaccine-preventable viral hepatitis 4. Reducing viral hepatitis cases caused by drug- use behaviors 5. Protecting patients and workers from health- care-associated viral hepatitis 6. Improving testing, care, and treatment to prevent liver disease and cancer

Proposed 2020 Goals of the Viral Hepatitis Action Plan (full implementation) Increase from 33% to 66% the proportion of persons who are aware of their HBV infection Increase from 45% to 66% the proportion of persons who are aware of their HCV infection Reduce by 25% the number of new HCV infections Eliminate mother-to-child HBV transmission

Growing Momentum to Address Viral Hepatitis Aggressive promotion of perinatal vaccination for hepatitis B Increasing efforts nationally to get “baby boomers” tested Expansion of training and education opportunities for physicians and clinical staff Era of improved therapy for hepatitis C Increasing support to address chronic viral hepatitis in the US & globally

Why is Viral Hepatitis Testing Important? Many people with chronic viral hepatitis do not know they are infected since they do not look or feel sick. Testing is the only way to determine whether or not a person has chronic hepatitis B or C. Learning if one is infected is key to diagnosing chronic viral hepatitis early and getting appropriate medical care. Testing can also identify at-risk household members and sexual partners who should also be tested and/or vaccinated. Over time, approximately 15%–25% of people with chronic viral hepatitis develop serious liver problems, including: o liver damage, o cirrhosis, o liver failure, and o liver cancer.

Who Should Get Tested for Hepatitis B? People born in Asia, Africa, and other regions with moderate or high rates of Hepatitis B Unvaccinated people whose parents are from regions with high rates of Hepatitis B Anyone having sex with a person infected with Hepatitis B People who live with someone with Hepatitis B Men who have sexual encounters with other men People who inject drugs All pregnant women People with HIV infection People on hemodialysis People who receive chemotherapy or other types of immunosuppressive therapy Testing for Hepatitis B is recommended for certain groups of people, including:

Hepatitis C in the African American Community Information

Who Should Get Tested for Hepatitis C Current or former injection drug users, even if you injected only one time or many years ago. People treated for a blood clotting problem before People who received a blood transfusion or organ transplant before July People who are on long-term hemodialysis treatment. Anyone who has abnormal liver tests or liver disease. Health care or public safety workers exposed to blood through a needlestick or other sharp object injury. People who are infected with HIV. Individuals born from 1945 through 1965

Online Resources For You and Your Community

Hepatitis Risk Assessment RiskAssessment/

CDC’s KNOW MORE HEPATITIS Campaign CampaignResources.htm

Additional Online Resources Digital Tools - Buttons, Widgets, and more: Order free posters & other resources:

Thank You! Christopher H. Bates, MPA Senior Advisor to the Director Office of HIV/AIDS and Infectious Disease Policy U.S. Department of health and Human Services (202)