In cooperation with: National Viral Hepatitis Roundtable, Caring Ambassadors, American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases, Orasure, Association of Chinese American Physicians, Hepatitis B Initiative of Washington, D.C., Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Corporate Hepatitis Alliance, Community Education Group
(Refreshments will be served)
You should have recently received the attached invitation to attend an educational event to raise awareness of the silent viral hepatitis epidemic. Please join the co-chairs of the Viral Hepatitis Caucus and the director of the Division of Viral Hepatitis for an educational event to raise awareness of the silent viral hepatitis epidemic in the United States.
More than 5.3 million people in the U.S. are living with hepatitis B and/or hepatitis C and 65-75 percent are not aware they are infected. As noted by the CDC, viral hepatitis mortality rates have increased in the United States over the past decade. Did you know hepatitis C is curable and hepatitis B is treatable? We can reduce costs and fatalities, and that starts with getting tested.
In honor of National Viral Hepatitis Testing Day, we urge Members, staff, and the local community to attend this event, get a free test for hepatitis B and C, and get educated about the impact of this epidemic. Liver cancer prevention starts with being tested for hepatitis B and C.
· WHAT: Viral Hepatitis Testing Day –get a free test for hepatitis B and C
· WHEN: Thursday, May 23: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
· WHERE: Rayburn foyer (Refreshments will be served)
Viral hepatitis is the leading cause of liver cancer – one of the fastest growing, deadly and most expensive cancers to treat in America. Racial and ethnic minorities are disproportionately impacted. African Americans are twice as likely to be infected with hepatitis c and Asian Americans comprise more than half of the known hepatitis B infections in the United States.
This epidemic must be stopped and the first step is awareness and testing. Please join us for this important event.
Sincerely,
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Henry C. “Hank” Johnson
Member of Congress
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Charlie Dent
Member of Congress
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Mike Honda
Member of Congress
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Bill Cassidy
Member of Congress
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