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  • Happy Hepatitis Testing Day

    May 19th is national Hepatitis Testing Day! Today we raise awareness about viral hepatitis and encourage people to know their status. More than half of the people living with viral hepatitis in the U.S. do not know their status, so if you do not know your status, get tested! Since 2013, the United States has officially observed May 19th as Hepatitis Testing Day. With over 2.4 million people living with chronic hepatitis B in the United States and 300 million people living with it globally, it is so important to know your status! Additionally, hepatitis B is known as a “silent infection” which means that you do not know you have the disease until it has done major damage to your liver. Luckily, with hepatitis B testing, you can find out your status and take control of your health! Hepatitis B Testing The hepatitis B test is a simple blood test that can be done at your doctor’s office or local care clinic. The hepatitis B blood test requires only one sample of blood and your health care provider should order the “Hepatitis B Panel,” which includes three parts. You and your health care provider will need to know all three test results in order to fully understand whether you are infected, protected or still at risk for a hepatitis B infection. Remember to ask for a copy of your hepatitis B blood test results so that you fully understand which tests are positive or negative. Interpreting Results Your results should include HBsAg (hepatitis B surface antigen), HBsAb (hepatitis B surface antibody), and HBcAb (hepatitis B core antibody). Below is a chart to help you interpret your results! Newly Diagnosed Here are some next steps if you have received your test results and tested positive for hepatitis B. The first thing you should know is that you can live a long and healthy life. Next Steps: Understand your diagnosis. Do you have an acute or chronic infection? When someone is first infected with hepatitis B, it is considered an acute infection. Most healthy

    http://www.hepb.org/blog/happy-hepatitis-testing-day/
  • Hepatitis B Discrimination Registry

      Despite almost 300 million people living globally with the world’s most common liver infection, hepatitis B remains stigmatized and those living with it can still face discrimination from various sources. Each year, the Hepatitis B Foundation answers numerous calls from around the world from people who have faced school, workplace, and travel challenges due to their hepatitis B status. These challenges are typically rooted in misinformation, outdated laws or guidelines, stigma, and an overall lack of awareness. The Hepatitis B Foundation has been a longtime advocate of people living with hepatitis B. In fact, our advocacy successfully made hepatitis B a protected condition under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in the United States. We also support programs to fight discrimination faced by people living with hepatitis B when applying to schools, jobs, or accessing affordable medicine. We also compiled a report called “Health Insurance Costs Impacting Shoppers Living with Hepatitis B (2020)” to help people living with hepatitis B in the U.S. make informed decisions when choosing a health insurance plan. It can also be shared with policymakers to inform them of potentially discriminatory benefit plan designs in various states. Most recently, Hepatitis B Foundation is excited to announce the launch of our discrimination registry! The purpose of this registry is to document and track discrimination related to hepatitis B.  Hepatitis B discrimination is described as unjust, unfair, or prejudicial treatment of persons on the basis of their hepatitis B status. In other words, being treated differently because of one’s hepatitis B infection. For someone with hepatitis B, this can mean exclusion, denying benefits, denied employment, education, training, goods or services, or having significant burdens imposed on an individual due to their infection status. How to Share Your Experience Use the registry link here and fill out the questions

    http://www.hepb.org/blog/hepatitis-b-discrimination-registry/
  • #Tri4ACure: From Hepatitis B Diagnosis to Advocating for a Cure

                      Meet Edwin Tan - a 29-year-old mechanical design engineer from Minneapolis, Minnesota! In 2014, Edwin was diagnosed with hepatitis B. Like many others living with hepatitis B, his diagnosis was a shock. Before his diagnosis, all he knew was that he was banned from giving blood to the Red Cross, but no one had explained the reason why. A routine blood test provided no explanations either, so his doctor decided to test for hepatitis B. The test revealed that Edwin was living with chronic hepatitis B. After his diagnosis, Edwin decided to learn all that he could about the infection. Through his research, he found that one of the best ways to keep his liver healthy was through small lifestyle changes. Edwin began to pursue healthier life choices by increasing the amount of exercise he was getting and paying closer attention to his diet. Although he loved craft beer, he knew that drinking could be extremely dangerous to those with liver infections, so he willingly gave up all alcohol. Edwin’s dedication to a more active lifestyle led him to challenge himself by competing in local races and triathlons. Edwin’s journey led him to realize that there is a lack of awareness about hepatitis B. He noticed that the stigmas facing those living with hepatitis B could take a physical and mental toll on an individual and impact how they viewed themselves. Edwin’s observations inspired him to reach out to the Hepatitis B Foundation to raise money and awareness for hepatitis B research, patient outreach, and education. Since his passion for racing was discovered due to his commitment to health after his diagnosis, it seemed appropriate for him to use his love of sports to fundraise for hepatitis B awareness and research! He hopes that his athletic achievements help others living with hepatitis B to realize that they are more than their infection. Now, Edwin is training for a series of six races—triathlons, a

    http://www.hepb.org/blog/tri4acure-hepatitis-b-diagnosis-advocating-cure/
  • Hepatitis B Discrimination in U.S. Medical Schools: What you Should Know

    In 2013, an integral ruling by the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) took a major step towards ending one of the many forms of discrimination that hepatitis B patients face. The settlement made it illegal for medical schools to discriminate against students due to their hepatitis B status. Six years later, the words of "Blind Lady Justice" Thomas E. Perez, former Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division, still ring true: “Excluding people with disabilities from higher education based on unfounded fears or incorrect scientific information is unacceptable”. Unfortunately, many medical schools - both nationally and internationally - fail to acknowledge this. Since the court settlement in 2013, we’ve received an increasing number of patient complaints regarding medical school discrimination. Some students completed all of their classes only to be told that they couldn’t participate in their clinical experience (which is a degree requirement) due to their hepatitis B status. Other students have had their acceptance to a school revoked because they tested positive for the infection. Both situations are considered illegal under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). What You Should Know: You are protected by the law: Under Titles II and III of the ADA, it is illegal for entities, including schools, to discriminate against students based upon a disability like a chronic illness. In addition, institutions are required to make arrangements, policies, and procedures when needed in order to ensure that those titles are being followed. You are not a threat: It is important to note that discriminatory policies are often outdated and should be unnecessary - in both schools and the healthcare field - as long as the appropriate procedures and precautions are followed.   The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Recommendations are in your favor: In 2012, the CDC worked with us and a few other organizations to update their

    http://www.hepb.org/blog/hepatitis-b-discrimination-u-s-medical-schools-know/
  • National African Immigrant and Refugee HIV & Hepatitis Awareness Day 2018

    The Hepatitis B Foundation (HBF) is joining the Africans for Improved Access (AFIA) program at the Multicultural Aids Coalition (MAC), the Coalition Against Hepatitis for People of African Origin (CHIPO), the New England AIDS Education and Training Center (NEAETC), and the Harvard University Center for AIDS Research (CFAR) in continuing the national fight for federal recognition of National African Immigrant and Refugee HIV and Hepatitis Awareness Day (NAIRAHHA). Founded during one of the African National HIV Alliance’s (ANHA) strategic planning summits, NAIRAHHA Day has been observed annually on September 9th by healthcare professionals, awareness campaigns, and other organizations since 2014. This year,  NAIRHHA Day commemoration began on September 1st. Quotes collected from #justB storytellers, healthcare providers, and health educators are currently being circulated across social media accounts to start a virtual conversation. The hashtags #StigmaCantWin and #NAIRHHADay2018 are being used to organize the discussion and raise awareness on Twitter. The quotes are centered upon addressing stigma and myths surrounding HIV and hepatitis in African immigrant communities. Some quotes remind viewers that despite how it may feel, many reliable HIV and hepatitis B resources are present around the country. Other quotes - like this one from #justB storyteller Bright - offer words of encouragement and support to those who may feel alone. A comprehensive webinar, titled Stigma Can’t Win: HIV and Hep B Among African Immigrants, will take place on Wednesday, Sept. 20 from 3 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.  and will complete the commemoration of NAIRHHA Day 2018. You can register for the webinar here. In addition to stigma’s impact on access to care and screening for HIV and hepatitis, viewers will learn about the root causes of these particular stigmas and how prevention-related stigma differs from the stigma of living with a certain disease. These topics are essential to the

    http://www.hepb.org/blog/national-african-immigrant-refugee-hiv-hepatitis-awareness-day-2018/
  • Hepatitis B Foundation launches continuing education series on hepatitis B for health care providers and public health professionals

    Doylestown, Pa., Feb. 5, 2021 – The Hepatitis B Foundation has launched Hep B Project ECHO Philadelphia, a continuing education series for health care providers and public health professionals using the ECHO Model™ to deliver educational content about hepatitis B to physicians, nurses, pharmacists, public health coordinators and other health care professionals. ECHO is a highly effective and nationally recognized approach that was developed initially at the University of New Mexico to expand primary care provider capacity to treat and manage hepatitis C in rural communities. The goal of Project ECHO is to enhance the education of primary care providers by linking them with teams of expert specialists. It employs adult-learning techniques and interactive videos. “This is a substantial step forward for the Hepatitis B Foundation’s programs to provide physicians and other professionals with the learning experiences they needed to provide the best possible care and support to people living with hepatitis B,” Catherine Freeland, MPH, program lead and public health program director of the Hepatitis B Foundation, said. “What makes Project ECHO so valuable is the case-based learning experience, which will help providers become empowered in treating patients with hepatitis B in a primary care setting.” The Foundation’s first webinar was held on Jan. 28 and had 45 participants. Future sessions this year will be held on the fourth Thursday of every month. Each webinar, which will start at 12 p.m. Eastern time, will be run by two or more expert physicians and include a 15-minute didactic training on hepatitis B. Didactic subjects will include testing for the hepatitis B virus (HBV), treating HBV, vaccination and prevention, HBV co-infection, acute versus chronic HBV and screening for liver cancer, which is an all-too-common result of chronic HBV that is poorly managed. Hep B Project ECHO Philadelphia is approved for continuing medical education credit for physicians and nurses and for pharmacists in the next few months. More information and registration access is posted here. The co-sponsors of Hep B Project ECHO Philadelphia are the National Task Force on Hepatitis B: Focus on Asian and Pacific Islander Americans, Hep B United Philadelphia and the National Nurse-Led Care Consortium. The Philadelphia Department of Public Health has provided a $25,000 grant to support the program.

    https://www.hepb.org/news-and-events/news-2/hepatitis-b-foundation-launches-continuing-education-series-on-hepatitis-b-for-health-care-providers-and-public-health-professionals/
  • Hepatitis B Foundation launches new tool to assist people living with hepatitis B in making decisions on health insurance

    The Foundation says the new report also should help policymakers and patients address discrimination in the health insurance marketplace. Doylestown, Pa., Oct. 29, 2020 – The Hepatitis B Foundation today released a new report, Health Insurance Costs Impacting Shoppers Living with Hepatitis B, that is designed to help those living with chronic hepatitis B and their caregivers make better-informed decisions when choosing health insurance plans. The online report summarizes an analysis of over 280 plans in 14 states sold on the health insurance marketplace in 2019 and 2020, identifying trends and practices that may significantly increase a person’s out-of-pocket costs for hepatitis B treatment. “The high cost of hepatitis B treatments is a significant barrier to care,” Kate Moraras, MPH, the Foundation’s deputy director, public health, said. “Hepatitis B medications must be taken daily for several years and, without affordable options, people living with chronic hepatitis B may stop taking their medications, which increases their risk of developing cirrhosis or liver cancer.” Under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, often called the ACA or Obamacare, health insurance plans are prohibited from including benefit designs that discriminate against individuals based upon their age, disability, gender, health conditions and numerous other factors. Unfortunately, health insurance companies have used tactics that force people living with chronic hepatitis B to pay for the majority of their treatment costs. Companies also have taken steps to discourage hepatitis B patients from enrolling in their plans. “Bringing attention to these discriminatory practices is the first step toward holding the insurance companies accountable,” Michaela Jackson, the Foundation’s prevention policy manager, said. “Many people who are impacted by this issue already face barriers to accessing healthcare services and may not even know that they are facing discrimination in this manner.” The new report provides health insurance shoppers living with hepatitis B with key information – including a checklist of questions to consider and a list of insurance companies in the analyzed states that exhibited discriminatory practices. Shoppers can take a closer look at the specific pricing tiers into which companies and plans place their hepatitis B treatments, and what additional costs may be included. Along with serving as a resource for consumers, the report aims to bring awareness to policymakers. Because health insurance plans are regulated by states, it is important for legislators and state health insurance departments to be aware of any discrimination that may occur. The Foundation plans to share Health Insurance Costs Impacting Shoppers Living with Hepatitis B with policymakers and other hepatitis B advocates to encourage local change.  The Hepatitis B Foundation encourages any person who believes that she or he is facing discrimination within their health insurance plan to file an official complaint with their state’s Bureau of Insurance and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Civil Rights. Here is a directory of insurance companies provided by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners that includes the information necessary to file a complaint. # # #

    https://www.hepb.org/news-and-events/news-2/hepatitis-b-foundation-launches-new-tool-to-assist-people-living-with-hepatitis-b-in-making-decisions-on-health-insurance/
  • Hepatitis B Foundation Strongly Supports the Strategic Plan for Trans‐NIH Research to Cure Hepatitis B

    DOYLESTOWN, PA (Dec. 11, 2019) On Dec. 10, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) released a groundbreaking Strategic Plan for Trans‐NIH Research to Cure Hepatitis B. This Plan is the first product from the NIH Hepatitis B Cure Strategic Plan Working Group that was created as a result of Fiscal Year 2019 Congressional Appropriations Report language advocated for by the Hepatitis B Foundation.  Citing their commitment to “advancing efforts to end the hepatitis B epidemic,” the Strategic Plan for Trans‐NIH Research to Cure Hepatitis B proposes three priorities to develop a hepatitis B cure and improved strategies for vaccination, screening, and follow‐up to care. The first priority calls for a better understanding of hepatitis B biology; the second emphasizes the development and sharing of tools and resources to support fundamental research and product development; and the third calls for the creation of strategies to cure and prevent hepatitis B infection. The Strategic Plan for Trans‐NIH Research to Cure Hepatitis B builds on recommendations from the Hepatitis B Foundation Roadmap for a Cure. “This is an important and creative step forward and we thank NIH for its continuing commitment to find a cure for hepatitis B,” said Timothy Block, PhD, President of the Hepatitis B Foundation. NIH anticipates that this plan will “serve as a foundation for future research investments that will provide the comprehensive research base needed to develop hepatitis B cure and prevention strategies. Implementing such strategies will depend on a concerted international effort by numerous public health stakeholders to end the hepatitis B epidemic.” The Hepatitis B Foundation is hopeful that NIH will use this plan to put out specific calls for proposals to focus funding on these priorities.    About Hepatitis B: Hepatitis B is the most common serious liver infection in the world. It is caused by the hepatitis B virus that attacks and injures the liver. Each year up to 1 million people die from hepatitis B worldwide despite the fact that it is preventable and treatable. Hepatitis B is a “silent epidemic” because most people do not have symptoms when they are newly or chronically infected. Thus, they can unknowingly spread the virus to others and continue the spread of hepatitis B. For people who are chronically infected but don’t have any symptoms, their liver is still being silently damaged which can develop into serious liver disease such as cirrhosis or liver cancer. About the Hepatitis B Foundation: The Hepatitis B Foundation is the nation’s leading nonprofit organization solely dedicated to finding a cure for hepatitis B and improving the quality of life for those affected worldwide through research, education and patient advocacy. To learn more, go to www.hepb.org, read our blog at hepb.org/blog, follow us on Twitter @HepBFoundation, find us on Facebook at facebook.com/hepbfoundation or call 215‐489‐4900.

    https://www.hepb.org/news-and-events/news-2/hepatitis-b-foundation-strongly-supports-the-strategic-plan-for-transnih-research-to-cure-hepatitis-b/
  • Hepatitis B Foundation Applauds CMS Final Decision to Cover Hepatitis B Screening

    Hepatitis B screening test added as a preventive service for Medicare beneficiaries DOYLESTOWN, PA (Sept. 30, 2016) – The Hepatitis B Foundation (HBF) applauds the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ (CMS) final decision to cover screening for hepatitis B infection at no cost to individuals entitled to benefits under Medicare Part A or enrolled in Medicare Part B. The CMS decision states that a screening test is covered for individuals who are determined high risk for hepatitis B as identified by a primary care provider in a primary care setting. “This decision is a significant step forward to identify those with chronic hepatitis B across the U.S., link them to care, and prevent end-stage liver disease and liver cancer,” said Joan Block, RN, BSN, executive director and co-founder of the Hepatitis B Foundation. “While we are pleased with this decision, we must continue to ensure that all individuals at risk for hepatitis B infection have access to this critical preventive service in a broad array of settings, in addition to the primary care setting.” Hepatitis B is a liver infection caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). Up to 2.2 million Americans are living with chronic hepatitis B infection and approximately 67% are unaware of their infection. Of the identified and reported cases of HBV in the U.S. between 2007 and 2012, 15.6% were over the age of 65 and part of the Medicare covered population. Left untreated, up to 25% of people with hepatitis B develop serious liver problems, including cirrhosis and liver cancer. HBV is a primary risk factor for liver cancer, the second deadliest cancer for men and women. Hepatitis B is also associated with significant health disparities in the United States, disproportionately impacting Asian American and Pacific Islander and African immigrant communities. Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders make up 50% of the HBV infection burden in the U.S., and have liver cancer rates that are up to 13 times higher than Caucasian populations. “We are very excited about this new preventive benefit for our Medicare population that will save lives and costs for our health care system, and we are fully committed to working with all of our health care partners in ensuring individuals at high risk for HBV infection are aware of this new service,” Block added. The CMS Decision Memo for Screening for Hepatitis B Virus Infection is available online at https://www.cms.gov/medicare-coverage-database/details/nca-decision-memo.aspx?NCAId=283. About the Hepatitis B Foundation The Hepatitis B Foundation is the nation’s leading nonprofit organization solely dedicated to finding a cure for hepatitis B and improving the quality of life for those affected worldwide through research, education and patient advocacy. To learn more, go to www.hepb.org, read our blog at www.hepb.org/blog, follow us on Twitter @HepBFoundation, find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/hepbfoundation or call 215-489-4900.

    https://www.hepb.org/news-and-events/news-2/work-begins-on-a-19-million-expansion-of-the-pennsylvania-biotechnology-center-pabc/hepatitis-b-foundation-applauds-cms-final-decision-to-cover-hepatitis-b-screening/
  • Fact Sheets

    Printable Fact Sheets The Hepatitis B Foundation has created a variety of materials for those seeking more information about hepatitis B. Our Fact Sheets are available in an easy-to-print PDF format. Fact Sheets About the Hepatitis B Foundation (2018) Hepatitis B Vaccine (2022) Also available in Hindi  Hepatitis B and Adoption (2017) Vaccines You Need (2022) NEW: Hepatitis B Information Guide (2022)Also available in Spanish, Chinese, French, Swahili, Vietnamese (2022)  Chuukese, Ilocano, Korean, Marshallese, Tagalog (2023) New: Hepatitis B Reactivation Guide (2023) Fact Sheets (Con't) Hepatitis B and Your Liver (2022) Hepatitis B Fast Facts (2022)Also available in Hindi - Chinese - Vietnamese - Korean - Spanish - French (2022) - Tagalog (2022) - Indonesian (2022) Understanding Hepatitis B Blood Tests (2020)Also available in Chinese - Vietnamese - Korean - Spanish (2020) - French (2019) - Hindi (2020) - Turkish (2020) Understanding Your Core Antibody (HBcAb) Positive Test Results (2018)Also available in Chinese - Chuukese -French - Ilokano - Korean - Marshallese - Tagalog - Vietnamese Living with Chronic Hepatitis B (2017)Also available in Hindi - Chinese - Vietnamese - Korean - Spanish (2019) - French (2019) - Indonesian (2022) - Tagalog (2022)  Hepatitis B Guidelines for Pregnant Women (2017)Also available in French - Chinese - Korean - Spanish - Vietnamese Hepatitis B Treatment Information (2017)Also available in Hindi - Chinese - Vietnamese - Korean - Spanish (2019) - French (2019) Hepatitis B: What You Need to Know (2022)Also available in Chuukese - Tongan - Marshallese - Samoan - Spanish  Hepatitis B Clinical Trials (2018)Also available in French - Chinese - Korean - Spanish - Vietnamese Hepatitis B Information for Health Care Workers (2018) Hepatitis B and Delta Coinfection Fact Sheets Hepatitis B/Delta FAQ Sheet for Providers (2018)Also available in Romanian - Mongolian - Russian - Spanish Hepatitis B/Delta FAQ Sheet for Patients (2018)Also available in Romanian - Mongolian - Russian - Spanish Hepatitis B/Delta Clinical Trials (2018) Liver Cancer Fact Sheets Liver Cancer and Hepatitis B (2020)Also available in Mandarin (2021)

    https://www.hepb.org/resources-and-support/fact-sheets/