Hepatitis C
The hepatitis C epidemic:
Where’s the leadership?
May 8, 2008
On May 19, 2008, Project Inform will join hepatitis advocates
around the globe in recognizing “World Hepatitis Awareness
Day.” This day will highlight the severity of the hepatitis
epidemic around the world through media campaigns, rallies, and
educational events. We will also call on elected and administrative
officials to take bold action in creating hepatitis education,
prevention, diagnosis, care, and treatment programs.
In the United States, the statistics are staggering. There are
an estimated 4 million people with the hepatitis C virus (HCV).
Most Americans living with the virus are unaware of their infection.
In addition, 225,000 people living with HIV are coinfected with
HCV.
However, the federal response to this epidemic has been abysmal
and reminiscent of the early years of HIV/AIDS. President Bush
has refused to offer a proclamation or statement recognizing any
hepatitis awareness days. The entire federal budget for all viral
hepatitis programs is a mere $17 million per year and the president
has called for a cut in next year’s funding. Only a handful
of Members of Congress have cosponsored legislation to mount a
comprehensive HCV testing and prevention strategy. There is no
plan to deliver care and treatment to those who are uninsured.
Media outlets around the country have refused to air a public service
announcement about HCV because of the stigma associated with the
disease.
In response to this failed leadership, Project Inform recently
expanded our public policy agenda to include HCV advocacy. We participate
in the “Hepatitis C Appropriations Partnership,” a
national coalition of advocates trying to secure increased federal
funding for the disease. We have also joined the “California
Hepatitis Alliance (CalHEP),” a statewide advocacy coalition
working to improve California’s response to hepatitis B and
hepatitis C. We have taken a leadership role in CalHEP’s
San Francisco advocacy team and are currently developing a proposal
for a local hepatitis task force that would advise the Mayor and
other elected officials on HCV issues.
We have also brought our extensive grassroots organizing experience
to the HCV movement. Last August, we cofounded “Hepatitis
C Advocates UNITED!,” the first national grassroots network
focused on HCV. This network, now over 300 members strong, has
brought together people with HCV, service providers, and other
advocates to create grassroots strategies aimed at convincing Congress
and the Bush Administration to provide funding and legislation
needed to combat the epidemic. The group is participating in World
Hepatitis Awareness Day by organizing people to call Congress on
May 19th to demand action on HCV.
You are encouraged to be part
of this movement! Be a part of this movement! To join Hepatitis
C Advocates UNITED!, send an email to .
In the email, put your first name (and last name, if you are comfortable)
and city/state. For more information about World Hepatitis Awareness
Day, go to www.aminumber12.org.
Hepatitis C Advocates UNITED! is a national, grassroots network
of individuals and organizations fighting for increased funding
for hepatitis programs and legislation to mount a comprehensive
federal effort to fight the disease. We design grassroots strategies
to educate our elected representatives about the need for adequate
HCV funding and policies, including action alerts, sign-on letters
legislative meetings, media activities, and other campaigns. We
also share information and strategies on state-level issues and
campaigns. We communicate through a moderated listserv and monthly
conference calls. Hepatitis C Advocates UNITED! was formed by the
Hepatitis C Appropriations Partnership (HCAP) and the National Hepatitis
C Advocacy Council (NHCAC).
