Rep. Johnson: We can beat this silent epidemic
Congressman co-hosts viral hepatitis briefing on 2012 Hepatitis Testing Day by calling for Americans to get tested, treated
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Hank Johnson (GA-04) today co-hosted a bipartisan Congressional briefing to combat and raise awareness of viral hepatitis and liver cancer.
Along with other distinguished members of Congress, Johnson announced the launch of the Congressional Viral Hepatitis Caucus.
On 2012 Hepatitis Testing Day and the one-year anniversary of U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Action Plan for the Prevention and Treatment of Viral Hepatitis, Rep. Johnson urged Americans to get tested and treated.
“There are currently four million Americans infected with hepatitis C virus, but three in four have no idea they have it,” said Rep. Johnson. “For years, I too was unaware. But I was tested, sought treatment and today I am beating this disease. I am living proof that testing saves lives. We can beat this silent epidemic.”
“One in 33 baby boomers born between 1945 and 1964 have been infected with hepatitis C, and one in 10 Asian Americans has been infected with hepatitis B, but 65 percent to 75 percent of people with hepatitis B and C do not know they have it.
One of the myths surrounding hepatitis is only intravenous drug users or people who have received blood transfusions contract the disease. But because it is spread through contact with contaminated blood there are many cases where people who have contracted hepatitis who have neither used illegal drugs intravenously nor received a blood transfusion. Everyone born between 1945 and 1964 should be tested.”
In the next 10 years, about 150,000 people in the United States are projected to die from liver cancer and liver disease associated with chronic hepatitis B and hepatitis C. It is estimated that 3.5-5.3 million people – 1-2% of the U.S. population – are living with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) or hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections. Chronic viral hepatitis infections are 3-5 times more frequent than HIV in the United States.
Rep. Johnson was joined by Reps. Mike Honda (D-CA), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Charlie Dent (R-PA) and Dr. Kevin Fenton and John Ward of the Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention to support H.R. 3381, a bipartisan bill that will require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to carry out Hepatitis surveillance, education, and testing programs.
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