Viral hepatitis and african americans christopher bates, mpa

Viral Hepatitis and African Americans 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 1965.

Most of them don’t know they are infected.

Viral Hepatitis Epidemiology, Hepatitis C

Chronic Hepatitis C in the Context of HIV in the US

Incident cases: 17,000 (2010) (annual)

Chronic: 3.2 Million

(prevalent cases)

Deaths: 15,000 (2010) (annual)

Age-adjusted Rates of Mortality Associated for Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and HIV United States, 1999-2007

In 2007, > 70% of registered deaths in HCV-infected were aged 45-64 years old.

National Viral Hepatitis Action Plan United States, 2011-2013 1. Educating providers and communities to reduce 2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

health disparities Strengthening surveillance to detect viral hepatitis transmission and disease Eliminating transmission of vaccine-preventable viral hepatitis Reducing viral hepatitis cases caused by druguse behaviors Protecting patients and workers from healthcare-associated viral hepatitis 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? Testing for Hepatitis B is recommended for certain groups of people, including:  People born in Asia, Africa, and other regions with

moderate or high rates of Hepatitis B  Unvaccinated people whose parents are from

 People who inject drugs  All pregnant women

regions with high rates of Hepatitis B  Anyone having sex with a person infected with

 People with HIV infection

Hepatitis B  People who live with someone with Hepatitis B  Men who have sexual encounters with other men

 People on hemodialysis  People who receive chemotherapy or

other types of immunosuppressive therapy

Hepatitis C in the African American Community Information

http://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/Populations/AAC-HepC.htm

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 1987.  People who received a blood transfusion or organ transplant before July 1992.  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

http://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/ RiskAssessment/

CDC’s KNOW MORE HEPATITIS Campaign

http://www.cdc.gov/knowmorehepatitis/ CampaignResources.htm

Additional Online Resources Digital Tools - Buttons, Widgets, and more:  http://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/HepPromoResources.htm Order free posters & other resources:  http://wwwn.cdc.gov/pubs/hepa.aspx

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 Christopher.bates@hhs.gov (202) 205-5245