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"Hepatitis on the Hill" Advocates Fight for Hepatitis Prevention, And So Can You
Hepatitis on the Hill advocates, March 2016. On Tuesday, March 8, more than 120 advocates from across the U.S. fanned out on Capitol Hill to talk to their representatives about the importance of funding the Viral Hepatitis Division of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Dozens of people laid their hearts on the line and told their stories about how they, their families, and friends have been touched by hepatitis. In meetings with Congressional staff, and in some cases their senators, they shared stories about family members who discovered they had hepatitis B only when they were diagnosed with late-stage, inoperable liver cancer. Others talked about how lucky they were to have been immunized at birth, considering their mothers were infected. Courageous advocates described losing loved ones to hepatitis B and C spread through the heroin epidemic, and recalled indifferent healthcare workers who saw only addicts instead of human beings who had lost their battle with both addiction and hepatitis. Our goal was to get our representatives to allocate more funding for CDC’s hepatitis division, which is sorely needed. It’s CDC’s job to investigate disease outbreaks and educate the public and healthcare providers about infectious disease. For example, CDC publishes a variety of reports and promotional materials to educate people how to protect themselves against hepatitis B and C. The agency also funds a “hepatitis coordinator” in nearly every state whose job it is to help prevent hepatitis, investigate outbreaks, and collect data—a Herculean task for just one person. Historically, CDC has been criticized for coming too late to the game to effectively protect at-risk communities about the spread viral hepatitis and create culturally-appropriate materials to help disadvantaged groups, including recent immigrants and injecting drug users. But part of the problem has been its dire shortage of funding. To implement these much-needed
http://www.hepb.org/blog/hepatitis-on-the-hill-advocates-fight-for-hepatitis-prevention-and-so-can-you/ -
New Hepatitis B Treatment Guidelines Revealed at AASLD 2015 Conference
… with either tenofovir or entecavir? Should people with compensated cirrhosis (liver scarring) and low viral load be treated with antivirals? Should pregnant women who are hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) positive with high viral load receive antivirals during their third trimester of pregnancy to prevent perinatal (mother-to-child) transmission of hepatitis B? Should children with HBeAg-positive hepatitis B be treated with antivirals to decrease liver-related complications? Reports from Joan Block about AASLD: --Hepatitis B Foundation medical director Dr. Bob Gish will be featured at a special session - Beyond the Walls of the Clinic - sponsored by Project Inform, which will discuss the importance of collaboration between clinicians and the community to address viral hepatitis. --- Dr. Anna Lok spoke on Sunday about treatment options for tricky situations such as pregnancy. The updated AASLD HBV guidelines recommend if an infected pregnant woman's viral load is greater than 1 million IU/mL she should be treated with tenofovir to prevent perinatal transmission. Tenofovir is preferred, but clinical trials have shown that lamivudine and telbivudine are also safe. --- "Within the next decade most liver disease in the U.S. will be self-inflicted, not the result of viral infection or some outside cause," according to Dr. Ramon Batalier at University of North Carolina. --- Currently, viral hepatitis is a huge silent epidemic in the U.S.; however, fatty liver disease is going to be an enormous liver disease tsunami if steps aren't taken now to address it. Final thoughts from the foundation's President, Dr. Tim Block: The focus at AASLD is on hepatitis C because there's truly a revolution going on in regards to the treatment of this virus. But interest in hepatitis B treatment is growing as evidenced by the packed meeting sessions, which is significantly different from years past. Speakers are noting that there is definitely a shift of scientists moving
http://www.hepb.org/blog/new-hepatitis-b-treatment-guidelines-revealed-at-aasld-2015-conference/ -
First World Hepatitis Summit Focuses on Global Plan for Elimination by 2030
… of the World Hepatitis Alliance, in his opening remarks at the Summit. “We must shift our energies from promoting just one day of awareness -- that is, World Hepatitis Day -- to creating awareness every day so that we can all live in a world without viral hepatitis.” With WHO taking a strong leadership position and launching the first global action plan, and more than 200 NGOs and patient advocacy groups dedicated to eliminating viral hepatitis, there is hope that the global pressure will move policy-makers in highly affected countries to make the investment and finally take action to end viral hepatitis.
http://www.hepb.org/blog/first-world-hepatitis-summit-focuses-on-global-plan-for-elimination-by-2030/ -
Thomas Tu, PhD
Group Leader, Storr Liver Centre, Westmead Institute for Medical Research, Australia Dr. Thomas Tu is a molecular biologist focusing on the persistence of cccDNA and the pathogenesis linked to integrated HBV DNA. He is particularly passionate about developing a HBV cure and mitigating the associated liver cancer, as he himself lives with chronic Hepatitis B. Dr. Tu is the Secretary for Australian Centre for Hepatitis Virology (ACHV), the premier Australian society for hepatitis virus researchers; a board member of Hepatitis Australia, guiding the strategic direction of the peak national advocacy body for people with liver disease; and the founder and Director of HepBCommunity.org (a global support network for people affected with HBV), guiding people through their HBV diagnosis and linking them with trustworthy scientific and medical information. Read the journal picks of the month from our Emerging Scholars Scientific and Medical Advisory Board here.
https://www.hepb.org/news-and-events/reports/emerging-scholars-scientific-and-medical-advisors/thomas-tu-phd/ -
Webinar on Treatment Options for Liver Cancer: What You Need to Know
Please join the Hepatitis B Foundation’s Liver Cancer Connect program and world-renowned liver disease specialist, Dr. Robert Gish for a webinar on Monday, April 27th 12 noon EDT to learn about liver cancer treatment. How does the stage of the cancer affect treatment? Why are screening and surveillance so important? What are the available treatments and what are the therapies in development? Liver Cancer is the 2nd leading cause of cancer related deaths and the 6th most common cancer worldwide. But it’s not all doom and gloom. Often liver cancer can be prevented through vaccination against hepatitis B and control of the other main risk factors for liver cancer, which include chronic viral hepatitis B and C, cirrhosis, excessive alcohol use, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, obesity, and aflatoxins. And if detected early, liver cancer can be treated or cured with liver surgery or transplantation. Screening and surveillance are essential for early dection of liver cancer, which allows for more treatment options, with a greater chance of successful results. Dr. Gish will outline currently available treatment options and will review the promising new therapies in development. Please join us and learn more. Register here for the free webinar. Dr. Robert G. Gish, a Professor Consultant, Stanford University, and Medical Director of the Hepatitis B Foundation, is an internationally renowned medical researcher in viral hepatitis. Dr. Gish has made invaluable contributions to the understanding and treatment of viral hepatitis and liver cancer. This webinar is presented by the Hepatitis B Foundation and its dedicated liver cancer program, Liver Cancer Connect, in collaboration with Blue Faery: The Adrienne Wilson Liver Cancer Association.
http://www.hepb.org/blog/webinar-on-treatment-options-for-liver-cancer-what-you-need-to-know/ -
Fighting the Doom and Gloom: Prevention Works!
… damage to liver cancer, and preventing recurrence of liver cancer after liver resection. Perhaps the most exciting recent news in the hepatitis world is that hepatitis C— the leading cause of liver cancer in the United States— is now curable! This is a remarkable advance in the fight against liver cancer. And nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, which is increasingly emerging as a risk factor for liver cancer, can be prevented with healthy diets and lifestyles. Of course, vaccines and antiviral drugs are only effective when used. Unfortunately, the vast majority of people with chronic hepatitis don’t know they are infected and therefore do not seek or receive treatment. To address this, the US Preventive Services Task Force recently recommended hepatitis B screening in high-risk ethnic groups. And the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is recommending that all baby boomers (those born between 1945 through 1965) get tested for hepatitis C. People who have not been infected with hepatitis B can get the hepatitis B vaccine, which offers lifelong protection against hepatitis B. And people with hepatitis C now have a cure. People at high risk for liver cancer should undergo screening and regular testing (surveillance) for early detection of the cancer. In our next blog, find out who should be screened and how screening and surveillance save lives!
http://www.hepb.org/blog/fighting-the-doom-and-gloom-prevention-works/ -
Contact Us
The Hepatitis B Foundation is the world’s leading nonprofit dedicated to hepatitis B and liver cancer, engaged in research, education and patient advocacy. Founded in 1991, the Hepatitis B Foundation is based in Doylestown, Pa., with offices in Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. Hepatitis B Foundation, 3805 Old Easton Road, Doylestown PA 18902 USA Phone: +1 215-489-4900 (U.S.) We answer phones 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Eastern (New York City) Time. If calling outside of our business hours, please leave a call-back number with your message. Please note that we are unable to return international calls, so be sure to call back during our business hours. Email: info@hepb.org Please include your city and country to help us provide personalized information. Submit your questions directly to our Patient Helpline via email at info@hepb.org, or call us at 215-489-4900. Please engage with us on social media!
https://www.hepb.org/contact-us/ -
Tuya's Story
After her own family’s experience of immigrating to the United States from Mongolia and their relief at moving to a community where friends could point them to resources, Tuya saw the struggles of other newcomers and decided she wanted to help. She found work with a program that does hepatitis B and C outreach, testing, and treatment referral for immigrants in the greater Washington, D.C. area and has been gratified to see the community’s growing trust in her, her organization, and the medical system in the U.S. Tuya's story is available in English and Mongolian. English Mongolian
https://www.hepb.org/research-and-programs/patient-story-telling-project/tuyas-story/ -
Chenda's Story
Recently engaged and waiting to join her fiancé in America, Chenda got a blood test, only to find out that she has hepatitis B. Upon seeing a doctor in Cambodia, she was inspired to learn how to protect her family and lover from the disease. Hepatitis B no longer haunts Chenda; she transformed herself from survivor to helper and is ready to make sure her soon-to-arrive first child is vaccinated against the virus. Chenda's story is available in English and Khmer. English Khmer
https://www.hepb.org/research-and-programs/patient-story-telling-project/chendas-story/ -
Frequently Asked Questions about Hepatitis B
Below are links to some of our most commonly asked questions. What is hepatitis B? Why is hepatitis B so dangerous? Is there a cure for hepatitis B? What treatments (medicines) are available for chronic hepatitis B? If the currently approved hepatitis B drugs do not provide a cure, then how are they helping? What can I do if I live in the U.S. and the insurance co-pay for my hepatitis B drugs costs too much for me to buy them? Is there any special diet for people living with chronic hepatitis B infection? What blood tests are important to diagnose and evaluate my hepatitis B infection? Does everyone with chronic hepatitis B need to take medicine? Will herbals, natural "remedies", Ayurveda or Traditional Chinese Medicine, supplements, or vitamins and minerals control hepatitis B? If I don't need to take medicine for my hepatitis B at this time, what must I do to support my liver? Can a hepatitis B infection be prevented? How can I protect my loved ones? Is the hepatitis B vaccine safe? Is the hepatitis B vaccine safe during pregnancy? Can I catch hepatitis B from the vaccine? If I started the vaccine series but didn't complete my 2nd or 3rd dose on schedule, do I have to start over? I received my vaccine years ago--am I still protected? Should I get the hepatitis B vaccine if I have a chronic HBV infection or have recovered from a past infection? Where can I get vaccinated against hepatitis B in the USA? What should I do if I am diagnosed with chronic hepatitis B? I am diagnosed with chronic hepatitis B, can I get married and have children? I am currently pregnant, and I have hepatitis B. What should I do to protect my baby? Can I donate blood if I have hepatitis B? If I have chronic hepatitis B infection, can I hug my children, partner or friend? I’m in love, when and how do I tell my (prospective) partner that I have hepatitis B? If hepatitis B is sexually transmitted, how come my partner isn’t infected? If chronic hepatitis B is a silent disease, why do I have symptoms? Sometimes I feel sad and depressed because of my hepatitis B status, what should I do? I keep hearing about a “Functional Cure” for chronic hepatitis B, what does this mean? Liver Cancer What is the likelihood that someone infected with hepatitis B will develop liver cancer? I’m living with hepatitis B, what should I do to reduce my risk of developing liver cancer? Clinical Trials My country does not have a clinical trial for hepatitis B. Is it possible to travel to another country to participate?
https://www.hepb.org/what-is-hepatitis-b/faqs/