Viral Hepatitis: Disparities and Opportunities

[Guest guest]

Thought I would update everyone as to what HEART (www.heart-intl.net ) and Wings for Life (www.wingsforlife-intl.org ) are doing

Theresa (Board Member of HEART and founder of Wings for Life) is going to be one of the presenters before the Calif. Legislative Body State Capitol, Room 437, 1303 10th Street , Sacramento , CA 95814

When:Thursday May 19, 20111:00 PM to 3:00 PM PDT

She will be speaking about the Economic Issues of Hepatitis and how the costs are going to impact everyone unless something is done—NOW. You can listen to her http://www.wingsforlife-intl.org/CanDo/Inter/index.htm concerning the correctional system. Both HEART and Wings has been developing mortality rates throughout the entire US, by state, by county. With this information we have seen by numeric data the impact and cost that the coming tsunami of HCV infections are bringing to this county. If you have the time, contact: ston at 916-930-9216 to attend this conference

Viral Hepatitis: Disparities and Opportunities

Agenda and background materials will be available at www.cahpf.org.

Dear Theresa,

We would like to invite you to a briefing on viral hepatitis disparities and the opportunities provided by implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) to reduce these disparities. This briefing is cosponsored by the California Hepatitis Alliance and the California Health Policy Forum.

Viral hepatitis is often referred to as a silent epidemic. The vast majority of individuals infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV) or hepatitis C virus (HCV) do not know they are infected, that they can infect others, and that with treatment they could avoid deadly or disabling liver disease or cancer. Without improved screening and treatment efforts, from 2010 to 2030 the number of liver cancer cases in the U.S. is expected to rise 59 percent, with the highest increases expected among Hispanics and Asian American and Pacific Islanders.

Over half of those with chronic HBV are Asian/Pacific Islanders, many of whom have emigrated from countries with high rates of hepatitis B infection. While smaller in number, the highest rate of infection is among African American men. African Americans and Hispanics have higher rates of hepatitis C infection than Whites. In addition, 34 percent of California 's prison population is infected with chronic HCV.

Many aspects of the ACA provide opportunities to improve viral hepatitis prevention, screening, and treatment services. This is a crucial time for policymakers and advocates to ensure that ACA implementation efforts include strategies to reduce the current and future burden of viral hepatitis in California .

This briefing will provide:

• An overview of the health and economic burdens associated with viral hepatitis in California , with an emphasis on research regarding racial/ethnic and economic disparities

• Details on state and recently released federal plans to reduce the burden of viral hepatitis

• A consumer perspective on the importance of access to viral hepatitis services

• Recommendations for incorporating viral hepatitis prevention, screening, and treatment into Affordable Care Act implementation efforts Confirmed presenters:

• Orlando Chavez, Organizer, United for Drug Policy Reform; and Sherri Ziegler Community Service Award Winner

• Clary, Director of Public Policy, Project Inform

• Theresa , Founder/President, Wings for Life

• ston, Sr. Program Specialist, Center for Health Improvement

• McLean, Adult Viral Hepatitis Prevention Coordinator, California Department of Public Health

If you have any questions about the event or how to register, please contact ston at 916-930-9216.

We look forward to seeing you at the Forum.

Sincerely,

Shore, PhD

Vice President for Planning & Health Policy

Center for Health Improvement

916-930-9220