May is Hepatitis Awareness Month!
Join us in raising awareness of the insidious health burden of viral hepatitis in the United States. Despite long-running vaccination campaigns for hepatitis A and hepatitis B, and state-of-the-art curative therapies for hepatitis C, hundreds of thousands of people in the United States suffer the effects of viral hepatitis, often without knowing. This May, the Arizona Department of Health Services and our partners will shed light on this hidden epidemic, raising awareness of viral hepatitis by highlighting the important themes listed below. More information about Hepatitis Awareness Month is available on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website.
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- Protecting young families and pregnant women: The CDC recommends a routine screening of all pregnant patients for hepatitis B and hepatitis C.
- Accelerating hepatitis C point-of-care testing to expand test-to-cure: Hepatitis C is a deadly disease. Point-of-care testing can build the bridge to life-saving treatment.
- Reaching key populations and high-impact settings: Increasing access to vaccination, testing, and treatment for key populations and settings can prevent the spread of viral hepatitis.
- Resources:
As we recognize Hepatitis Awareness Month, it’s important to remember that behind every data point is a real person navigating the complexities of diagnosis, treatment, and, for many, stigma. Raising awareness is not only about sharing facts, but it’s also about sharing stories. This way, we amplify the voices of those who have lived through the challenges of hepatitis. Their experiences and triumphs offer invaluable insight into the human side of this public health crisis, helping to build empathy, reduce stigma, and inspire action. We invite you to take a moment to read a few powerful stories from individuals who have generously shared their journeys. Thank you, Southwest Recovery Alliance, for helping to coordinate and compensate individuals for their stories.
