In proclamation, Biden notes ‘hidden epidemic’ of viral hepatitis
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According to HHS, many of the more than 3.2 million people in the United States with hepatitis B or C are not aware of their infection, raising their risk for severe complications or death and risking further spread of the viruses.
In a proclamation for Hepatitis Testing Day, which is May 19, President Joe Biden noted the ongoing “hidden epidemic” of viral hepatitis in the United States.
“Working to beat hepatitis is something that all Americans can agree is important,” he said. “It is within our power to save tens of thousands of lives and billions of dollars in health care costs, and by reducing liver cancer, these steps will also bring us closer to meeting our moonshot goal of ending cancer as we know it, achieving one of the greatest public health victories of all time.”
The CDC estimates that approximately 66% of people with HBV and 40% of people with HCV are unaware of their status. The agency now recommends that all adults be tested for the viruses at least once in their lifetime and that pregnant women be tested during each pregnancy.
The recommendation that all adults be tested for HBV at least once is barely a year old.
“Hepatitis B is one of the leading causes of liver cancer in the U.S.,” Infectious Disease News Editorial Board Member and National Foundation for Infectious Diseases Medical Director William Schaffner, MD, said in a statement. “For decades now, routine vaccination of U.S. infants and catch-up vaccination for children and teens has helped to protect young people, but far too many adults remain vulnerable.”
In honor of Hepatitis Testing Day, we put together some recently published Healio stories on hepatitis testing and treatment.
CDC recommends hepatitis B testing for all adults
Last March, the CDC updated its guidance for HBV testing for the first time since 2008 to recommend that all adults be tested at least once in their lifetime. Read more.
ACIP recommends universal hepatitis B vaccination for adults aged 19 to 59 years
As of November 2021, the CDC also recommends that all adults aged 19 to 59 years be vaccinated against HBV. Read more.
HIV, HBV, HCV testing up among Medicaid enrollees, although missed opportunities remain
Researchers reported earlier this year that around three-quarters of Medicaid enrollees were not tested for HBV, HCV and HIV. Read more.
Dried blood spot test can detect HIV and hepatitis, researchers say
During a presentation at this year’s European Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, researchers reported that dried blood spot tests can accurately detect HBV, HCV and HIV. Read more.
Less than one-third of people with hepatitis C get timely treatment
New data showed that less than one-third of people with HCV receive treatment for their infection within 360 days of testing positive. Read more.
‘We should be screening now’ for HDV with emerging drug therapies in phase 3
“Hepatitis D is a virus that I think we don’t talk very much about; in fact, the general sense among several of my colleagues is ‘I don’t even test for delta," a speaker said at last year’s GUILD Conference. Read more.
References:
- CDC. Hepatitis Awareness Month. https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/awareness/HepatitisAwarenessMonth.htm. Last reviewed April 11, 2022. Accessed May 19, 2023.
- HHS. Hepatitis Testing Day (May 19). https://www.hhs.gov/hepatitis/awareness-months-and-days/hepatitis-testing-day-may-19/index.html. Last reviewed April 27, 2023. Accessed May 19, 2023.
- White House. A proclamation on National Hepatitis Testing Day, 2023. https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2023/05/18/a-proclamation-on-national-hepatitis-testing-day-2023/. Published May 18, 2023. Accessed May 19, 2023.
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