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  • 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/
  • HBV Genotype C Carries Greater Risk for HCC Than Other Genotypes

    Below is a publication from “Healio Hepatology, January 23, 2013 -HBV Genotype C Carries Greater Risk for HCC Than Other Genotypes", showing the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma among the different hepatitis B genotypes based on a meta-analysis of 43 studies. There are 8 identified HBV genotypes ranging from genotypes A through H. These different genotypes are concentrated in distinct geographic areas of the globe, and may influence the course of disease, as noted below with the greater risk of liver cancer for those with genotype C.  Patients with hepatitis B genotype C are more likely to develop hepatocellular carcinoma than patients with other HBV genotypes, according to recent results. Researchers performed a meta-analysis of 43 studies (34 cross-sectional, four case-control, four prospective or retrospective cohort studies and one randomized controlled trial) published between 1999 and 2010 assessing the risk for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) across the major genotypes of hepatitis B. Analysis included data on 14,545 patients with HBV, with 517 cases of genotype A, 4,417 of B, 7,750 of C, 1,506 of D, 57 with A and D in combination and 298 with other and/or mixed genotypes. There were 2,841 patients with HCC across all studies. In 33 studies comparing genotypes B (n=4,417) and C (n=6,060), HCC was significantly more common among participants with genotype C (25% of patients vs. 12%), with an OR of 2.05 (1.52-2.76). Patients with genotypes A (n=517) and D (n=1,506) were at similar risk for HCC across 12 studies (14% for A vs. 11% for D, OR=0.94, 0.67-1.32). Patients with genotype C (n=1,659) were at significantly higher risk than those with genotypes A or D (n=1,403) in 10 studies (30% vs. 7%, OR=2.34, 1.63-3.34). Analysis of HBV subgenotypes Ce (n=1,440) and Cs (n=715) in eight studies indicated a similar risk for HCC between subgenotypes (OR=1.13, 0.76-1.67) (95% CI for all). “Genotype C HBV is associated with a higher risk of HCC than genotypes A, B

    http://www.hepb.org/blog/hbv-genotype-c-carries-greater-risk-for-hcc-than-other-genotypes/
  • An Event-Filled Hepatitis Awareness Month for the Hepatitis B Foundation and Hep B United Philadelphia

    Hepatitis Awareness Month has come to a close, and it has been one exciting, busy month for those of us at HBF and Hep B United Philadelphia. In the course of 6 weeks, we have had many of our major events of the year – nearly all featured during Hepatitis Awareness Month or on Hepatitis Testing Day.  Have a look at what we've been up to this past month... HBF preceded the month with its annual, signature fund-raising event. The Crystal Ball was held April 27th and was a very successful, enchanted evening for all in attendance. HBF exceeded goals for the year, and we were pleased to honor Dr. Howard Koh, Assistant Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), who was presented with the Baruch S. Blumberg Prize for his leadership in creating the HHS Action Plan for Viral Hepatitis. The Hepatitis B Foundation was selected as this month’s featured partner by CDC NPIN. What a great honor, and a wonderful opportunity for HBF to showcase some of our programs, services and materials. On May 15th, AAPCHO and HBF, with the support of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Minority Health, launched the Hep B United national campaign.  This unique partnering and collaborative effort will bring attention and action to end hepatitis B – especially among high-risk Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) in the U.S. You’re going to see a lot of activity out of Hep B United... HBF’s Director of Public Policy & Affairs set off to Washington D.C. to attend the Congressional Briefing on Chronic Viral Hepatitis and Liver Cancer hosted by our champions in Congress.  Keeping Hepatitis in the hearts and minds of our elected Representatives is paramount in supporting viral hepatitis efforts in our country. Hep B United Philadelphia wrapped up its awesome “B A Hero” PSA video contest and finalists and winners were announced. Check out these great PSAs! Hepatitis Testing Day and the days leading up to the event were extremely busy for the

    http://www.hepb.org/blog/1891-2/
  • Personal Reflection on the May 17th Congressional Briefing: Combating Viral Hepatitis

        On May 17, I attended the Congressional Briefing on Chronic Hepatitis and Liver Cancer, hosted by our unwavering champions, Congressmen Michael Honda (CA) and Charlie Dent (PA).The room was filled with representatives from the advocacy community, elected officials and government agencies, and industry. The event was scheduled to promote the first National Hepatitis Testing Day (May 19th) and to acknowledge the one-year anniversary of the HHS Action Plan for the Prevention and Treatment of Viral Hepatitis. Congressman Honda also wanted to recognize his colleagues who have joined the new Congressional Hepatitis Caucus and also attended today's briefing:  Judy Chu (D-CA), Bill Cassidy (LA), Hank Johnson (GA), Barbara Lee (CA) and Donna Christensen(Virgin Islands). Although Congressman Dent was unable to attend the event, he sent his full support of both the issue and the event. We now see more Congressional champions supporting the Hepatitis initiative,  and in many cases sharing their own personal stories on how this disease has impacted their lives. For example, Congressman Johnson spoke about his personal experience in combating hepatitis C and the need for more action to increase testing and access to care. The HHS Assistant Secretary for Health Dr. Howard Koh was one of the most charismatic persons in the room, giving credit to both the Congressional Champions and the public health heroes. Dr. Koh also specifically mentioned that the Hepatitis B Foundation, a Pennsylvania non-profit organization, has done incredible work developing a strong system to ensure that chronic hepatitis B patients identified during community screenings have access to care. Dr. Koh also commended his agency colleagues at HHS -  Dr. Ron Valdessari, Ms. Corrina Dan, and Ms. Sophie Tan for their tireless work to address this public health crisis. It is all of these resources coming together and the strong interagency collaboration that has helped bring about

    http://www.hepb.org/blog/personal-reflection-on-the-may-17th-congressional-briefing-combating-viral-hepatitis/
  • 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/
  • Got HBV? Adding Vitamin D to Your Diet

    Do you have hepatitis B, and are you considering adding vitamin D to your diet?  Adding vitamin D seems to be a win-win for those with liver disease since it is a potent immune modulator, appears to aid in the prevention of cancer, and other potentially related disorders such as NAFLD, along with Type I and II Diabetes, glucose intolerance and metabolic syndrome.  Before you make any big additions, be sure to talk to your doctor or liver specialist to ensure it’s safe for you with your current health status. Vitamin D is a fat soluble vitamin (needs a little fat to digest), versus a water soluble vitamin, that is ultimately stored in the liver.  There are pros and cons to this.  Fat soluble vitamins are not necessarily needed on a daily basis as they are stored in fatty tissues and in the liver making it available for longer periods of time.  Vitamin D is specifically stored in the liver. Unlike water soluble vitamins, excesses are not excreted through urine on a daily basis. That makes the balance a little trickier because you don’t want vitamin D accumulating in the liver and causing toxicity. Symptoms of vitamin D deficiency include osteomalacia, or softening of the bones, or perhaps less obvious bone pain and muscle weakness. Symptoms of vitamin D toxicity may include decreased appetite, nausea,vomiting, excess calcium blood levels or an accumulation of calcium in soft tissues. Too much of a good thing is NOT good for you! Current guidelines for vitamin D intake are 600 IU or 15 mcg per day. (See table for age specific info). Natural sources of vitamin D in foods (vitamin D2, or ergocalciferol) are hard to come by, but they are out there.  Mega sources include fatty fish like salmon, mackerel, and tuna.  Cod liver oil is an excellent source, which is probably why we see old movies with mom spooning cod liver oil into the mouths of young children! In the U.S. many dairy products, and others such as cereals, or orange juice are fortified with vitamin D

    http://www.hepb.org/blog/got-hbv-adding-vitamin-d-to-your-diet/
  • Hepatitis B and Vitamin D

    Vitamin D is essential for everyone, but how might vitamin D help those living with HBV? Vitamin D is especially important for children and older adults, as it aids in the body’s absorption and regulation of calcium and phosphorus, which helps form and maintain healthy bones and teeth.  Vitamin D is also a potent immune modulator, and aids in the prevention of hypertension, and cancer. Vitamin D levels appear to play a critical role in type I and type II diabetes, glucose intolerance, and metabolic disorders.  Studies have also shown a link between low vitamin D levels and NAFLD (Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease), independent of metabolic syndrome, diabetes, or insulin-resistance profile (for those without HBV). The lower the vitamin D level, the higher the risk for NAFLD, or fatty liver disease.  The liver plays such an integral part in digestion, regulation, storage, and removal of toxins – the list goes on.  You can’t live without it!  As a result, it seems logical that healthy levels of vitamin D would benefit those living with HBV, if adequate vitamin D levels help reduce the risk of NAFLD, metabolic syndrome, etc. Vitamin D is a potent immune modulator.  It has been on the radar for the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases for years. If you are being treated for HBV, you may want to discuss the potential benefits of adding vitamin D to your current therapy.  It has been shown to benefit hepatitis C patients undergoing treatment.  There is currently a clinical trial in Israel looking into the possible benefits of adding vitamin D supplementation to hepatitis B patients undergoing Peginterferon, or treatment with nucleotide analogs. While researching this blog, I ran across a couple references that mention Fanconi’s Syndrome and vitamin D.  This is interesting since Fanconi’s Syndrome may be acquired as a result of HBV treatment with tenofovir.  Fanconi’s Syndrome and supplementation with vitamin D is also mentioned on the Mayo

    http://www.hepb.org/blog/hepatitis-b-and-vitamin-d/
  • 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/