Might is Hepatitis Consciousness Month, once we concentrate on 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 components and to lower social stigma in opposition to viral hepatitis.

Whereas we now have the instruments and a transparent roadmap to cease the unfold of viral hepatitis, we nonetheless have to concentrate on elevating consciousness of the illness, how individuals get it, how we will stop it, and the way we will scale back social stigma. Our success will depend on energetic participation in a strategic and coordinated response to make use of the instruments we now have to stop, and finally eradicate viral hepatitis as a public well being menace in the US.

Each hepatitis A and hepatitis B are preventable with secure and efficient vaccines, and hepatitis C is curable with prescribed therapy. At present, there’s an estimated 862,000 and a couple of.4 million individuals residing with hepatitis B and hepatitis C in the US, 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 individuals 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 the perfect software we now have at stopping the quick and long-term results of hepatitis B virus, together with cirrhosis, liver most cancers and early loss of life. At present, solely an estimated 30% of adults in the US 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 components for hepatitis B.

Because the Assistant Secretary for Well being, guaranteeing equitable approaches to growing entry to viral hepatitis testing, vaccination, and therapy, notably for populations at increased threat of an infection, is a precedence for me. Eliminating obstacles that will increase entry to get extra individuals screened for hepatitis B and hepatitis C, in addition to vaccinated for hepatitis B.

This Might, 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 become involved:

• All through the month of Might, assist unfold the phrase about viral hepatitis to your networks, utilizing CDC’s Hepatitis Consciousness Month social media toolkit.

• Might nineteenth is Hepatitis Testing Day, a day devoted to elevating consciousness of hepatitis B and hepatitis C, whereas encouraging everybody to study 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) therapy amenities.

• Might thirtieth, at 1:00 pm-2:30 pm EST, be a part of me and consultants throughout the Division of Well being and Human Providers (HHS) for a webinar to study extra in regards to 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 Providers (CMS), Well being Assets and Providers 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 study in regards to the imaginative and prescient we set ahead to reverse the charges of viral hepatitis, stop new infections, enhance care and therapy and in the end eradicate viral hepatitis as a public well being menace in the US. It’s also possible to learn  the Viral Hepatitis Federal Implementation Plan to study in regards to the insurance policies, analysis, and actions that my federal colleagues intend to place into observe to fulfill the targets 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 therapy, will transfer us nearer in direction of eliminating viral hepatitis in the US.