Physicians to educate Congress on the importance of reducing viral hepatitis

National Viral Hepatitis RoundtableSep 9 2009

The National Viral Hepatitis Roundtable (NVHR) is hosting a briefing, "The Experts' Perspective: Gaps and Strategies in the Hepatitis Crisis." "Leading hepatitis physicians, one of whom is a Congressman, will be on the hill today to educate Congress on the importance of developing a strategy to reduce the significant morbidity and mortality from end-stage liver disease and liver cancer caused by chronic hepatitis B and chronic hepatitis C in the United States," said Martha Saly, Director of NVHR. "While the viral hepatitis crisis looms ever larger as a major public health threat, hepatitis B and hepatitis C receive little federal attention and even less federal funding." The Honorable William Cassidy, (R-LA), will speak from his unique perspective as a Congressman and a physician who has treated patients with hepatitis B and hepatitis C. As an associate professor of medicine with Louisiana State University, he provided care for uninsured patients and taught doctors in training at Earl K. Long Hospital in Baton Rouge.

About Chronic Viral Hepatitis

Chronic viral hepatitis, particularly in the form of hepatitis B and hepatitis C, is a highly contagious virus that infects the liver, causing liver disease, liver cancer, and premature death. Chronic hepatitis B is treatable when detected early and properly managed. In about 50% of the cases, chronic hepatitis C can be cured.

It is estimated that 2,000,000,000 people worldwide have been infected with the hepatitis B virus, 400 million chronically. Approximately 170 million people worldwide are chronically infected with the hepatitis C virus. An estimated 4.5 million people living in the United States are infected with either hepatitis B or hepatitis C; tragically more than half are unaware of their status.