Combating the Silent Epidemic of Viral Hepatitis
Action Plan for the Prevention, Care and Treatment of Viral Hepatitis
Viral
hepatitis is a silent epidemic in the United States. Although it is a
leading infectious cause of death and claims the lives of 12,000–15,000
Americans each year, viral hepatitis remains virtually unknown to the
general public, at-risk populations, and policymakers; even health care
providers sometimes lack knowledge and awareness about these infections.
As a consequence, most of the 3.5–5.3 million Americans living with viral hepatitis do not know that they are infected,
placing them at greater risk for severe, even fatal, complications from
the disease and increasing the likelihood that they will spread the
virus to others.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
(HHS) is committed to ensuring that new cases of viral hepatitis are
prevented and that persons who are already infected are tested; informed
about their infection; and provided with counseling, care, and
treatment. On May 12, 2011, HHS issued Combating the Silent Epidemic of Viral Hepatitis: Action Plan for the Prevention, Care & Treatment of Viral Hepatitis
(PDF 672KB) which outlines robust and dynamic steps to increase viral
hepatitis awareness and knowledge among health care providers and
communities, and improve access to quality prevention, care, and
treatment services for viral hepatitis. Some of these life-saving
actions already are well underway. Other actions, representing
innovations in practice, technology, and therapy, will require new
strategic directions and commitment.- Read more about the Action Plan at the website of the Assistant Secretary for Health.
- Download the Action Plan (PDF 672KB)
- Read and comment on recent blog posts about hepatitis and the Action Plan.
- Read about HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis at AIDS.gov’s Staying Healthy with HIV pages.
- Download a two-page Action Plan fact sheet (PDF 215KB) to share with others.
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