CDC Division of Viral Hepatitis: May is National Hepatitis Awareness Month

[Guest guest]

CDC Division of Viral Hepatitis: May is National Hepatitis Awareness Month

May is National Hepatitis Awareness Month Earlier this year the Institute of Medicine (IOM) released a report on Viral Hepatitis in the United States and called for efforts to increase knowledge and awareness of this major public health problem. During the month of May, CDC and our public health partners are celebrating the 15th anniversary of National Hepatitis Awareness Month and, on May 19th, World Hepatitis Day.

These observances are intended to increase awareness about the large but often under-recognized burden of disease and premature death associated with viral hepatitis. An estimated 4.5 million Americans have chronic Hepatitis B or Hepatitis C, which together account for the major cause of chronic liver disease and liver cancer.

Institute of Medicine (IOM) issues New Report Briefs The IOM report Hepatitis and Liver Cancer: A National Strategy for Prevention and Control of Hepatitis B and C was released on January 11, 2010. The IOM has recently issued three new report briefs - Report Brief for State and Local Health Departments, Report Brief for Healthcare Providers and Report Brief about Harm Reduction. These briefs are available in the "Report at a Glance" section of the IOM website's Reports page. http://www.iom.edu/Reports/2010/Hepatitis.aspx

MMWR - Hepatocellular Carcinoma – United States, 2001-2006 Liver cancer, primarily hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), is the third leading cause of death from cancer worldwide and the ninth leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States. Chronic hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus infections account for an estimated 78% of global HCC cases. The average annual incidence rate of HCC increased significantly from 2001-2006 with the largest increases among whites, blacks and persons aged 50-59 year. The results demonstrate a continuation of long-term increases in HCC incidence and persistent HCC racial/ethnic disparities. Development of viral hepatitis services, including screening with care referral for persons chronically infected with HBV or HCV, full implementation of vaccine-based strategies to eliminate hepatitis B, and improved public health surveillance are needed to help reverse the trend in HCC. http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5917a3.htm

MMWR - The Adult Hepatitis B Vaccine Project - California, 2007—2008 This report summarizes results for 2007--2008, which indicated that 28,824 doses of HepB vaccine were administered at 29 participating sites in the first 19 months of AHVP; 13 sites administered HepB vaccine for the first time. Federal provision of vaccine resulted in vaccination of many adults who otherwise might not have been vaccinated against HBV. Increased capacity to vaccinate all adults at risk is needed for the elimination of HBV transmission in the United States. http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5917a2.htm