NVHR: Administration's 2012 Budget Proposal Represents 'Sea Change' in National Response to Viral Hepatitis Epidemic

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NVHR: Administration's 2012 Budget Proposal Represents 'Sea Change' in National

Response to Viral Hepatitis Epidemic

Budget Proposal Calls for $5 Million Increase For State-based Surveillance,

Screening & Treatment Programs

WASHINGTON, Feb. 14, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Administration's 2012

budget proposal to increase federal funding for expanded state- and

locally-based viral hepatitis surveillance, screening, and treatment by more

than $5 million heralds a sea change in our nation's national strategy to

respond to the viral hepatitis epidemic, the National Viral Hepatitis Roundtable

(NVHR) said today.

" On behalf of more than 6 million Americans afflicted with viral hepatitis B and

C, NVHR would like to say, 'Thank you, Mr. President,' " said NVHR Director

Martha Saly. " With this budget proposal of $25 million, the Administration has

recognized that early intervention and prevention are the cornerstones of an

effective national viral hepatitis strategy. In the coming months, NVHR looks

forward to working closely with the Administration and Members of Congress from

both sides of the aisle to make this proposal reality. "

More than 6 million Americans are estimated to be afflicted with viral hepatitis

and three-quarters of them don't know it. Most infected individuals only become

aware of their disease after it has progressed to liver failure, cirrhosis, or

liver cancer. With the vast majority of liver cancers caused by unchecked viral

hepatitis, the Administration's increased funding proposal for early

intervention and treatment promises to help reduce the incidence of liver cancer

as well.

The Administration's budget proposal on viral hepatitis specifically states:

" CDC's FY 2012 request of $25,000,000 for VH reflects an increase of $5,222,000

above the FY 2010 level. With this increase, CDC will expand and strengthen

surveillance capacity in 10 high burden state and local health departments to

detect VH transmission, monitor health disparities and implementation and impact

of recommended prevention services; develop and execute VH awareness and

training programs for public health and clinical care professionals to implement

and scale-up VH screening and care referral; and enhance work with global

partners to implement VH surveillance and prevention programs in high burden

countries. "

The Administration's budget proposal is the first of many new expected

developments on viral hepatitis in 2011. Next month, the US Department of

Health & Human Services is expected to unveil a national strategy for the

prevention of viral hepatitis and liver cancer. On Capitol Hill, bipartisan

legislation that garnered support from over 70 House Members in the 111th

Congress is expected to be introduced again. And this summer, two new drug

therapies are expected to receive final approval from the Food & Drug

Administration (FDA) that will great enhance hepatitis C treatment.

SOURCE National Viral Hepatitis Roundtable

[Guest guest]

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/nvhr--administrations-2012-budget-propos\

al-represents-sea-change-in-national-response-to-viral-hepatitis-epidemic-116192\

779.html

NVHR: Administration's 2012 Budget Proposal Represents 'Sea Change' in National

Response to Viral Hepatitis Epidemic

Budget Proposal Calls for $5 Million Increase For State-based Surveillance,

Screening & Treatment Programs

WASHINGTON, Feb. 14, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Administration's 2012

budget proposal to increase federal funding for expanded state- and

locally-based viral hepatitis surveillance, screening, and treatment by more

than $5 million heralds a sea change in our nation's national strategy to

respond to the viral hepatitis epidemic, the National Viral Hepatitis Roundtable

(NVHR) said today.

" On behalf of more than 6 million Americans afflicted with viral hepatitis B and

C, NVHR would like to say, 'Thank you, Mr. President,' " said NVHR Director

Martha Saly. " With this budget proposal of $25 million, the Administration has

recognized that early intervention and prevention are the cornerstones of an

effective national viral hepatitis strategy. In the coming months, NVHR looks

forward to working closely with the Administration and Members of Congress from

both sides of the aisle to make this proposal reality. "

More than 6 million Americans are estimated to be afflicted with viral hepatitis

and three-quarters of them don't know it. Most infected individuals only become

aware of their disease after it has progressed to liver failure, cirrhosis, or

liver cancer. With the vast majority of liver cancers caused by unchecked viral

hepatitis, the Administration's increased funding proposal for early

intervention and treatment promises to help reduce the incidence of liver cancer

as well.

The Administration's budget proposal on viral hepatitis specifically states:

" CDC's FY 2012 request of $25,000,000 for VH reflects an increase of $5,222,000

above the FY 2010 level. With this increase, CDC will expand and strengthen

surveillance capacity in 10 high burden state and local health departments to

detect VH transmission, monitor health disparities and implementation and impact

of recommended prevention services; develop and execute VH awareness and

training programs for public health and clinical care professionals to implement

and scale-up VH screening and care referral; and enhance work with global

partners to implement VH surveillance and prevention programs in high burden

countries. "

The Administration's budget proposal is the first of many new expected

developments on viral hepatitis in 2011. Next month, the US Department of

Health & Human Services is expected to unveil a national strategy for the

prevention of viral hepatitis and liver cancer. On Capitol Hill, bipartisan

legislation that garnered support from over 70 House Members in the 111th

Congress is expected to be introduced again. And this summer, two new drug

therapies are expected to receive final approval from the Food & Drug

Administration (FDA) that will great enhance hepatitis C treatment.

SOURCE National Viral Hepatitis Roundtable