ACR 138, as introduced, Achadjian. Viral Hepatitis Awareness Day.
This measure would proclaim May 19, 2014, as Viral Hepatitis Awareness Day in California.
Fiscal committee: no.
P1 1WHEREAS, Liver cancer and liver disease related to hepatitis
2B and C are two of the leading killers in California; and
3WHEREAS, Hepatitis C is the most prevalent bloodborne
4disease in the United States and in California; and
5WHEREAS, Early detection of hepatitis B or C infection
6promotes effective management or treatment of these infections,
7preventing disability, loss of productivity and income, and allowing
8people to live full, satisfying, and productive lives; and
9WHEREAS, Undetected and untreated hepatitis B or C infection
10can lead to disability or death; and
11WHEREAS, The majority of the estimated 750,000 Californians
12with chronic hepatitis C infection do not know they are infected,
13and are therefore at high risk of severe liver disease, liver cancer,
14or liver failure; and
P2 1WHEREAS, The majority of the estimated 350,000 California
2residents with hepatitis B infection do not know they are infected,
3and are therefore at high risk of severe liver disease, liver cancer,
4or liver failure; and
5WHEREAS, Untreated hepatitis B and C are the leading causes
6of liver failure requiring liver transplant; and
7WHEREAS, The federal Centers for Disease Control and
8Prevention released updated guidelines calling for everyone born
9between 1945 and 1965 to receive a one-time hepatitis C test,
10which would save over 100,000 lives; and
11WHEREAS, In 2013, the United States Preventive Services
12Task Force (USPSTF) issued a Grade B rating for screening for
13hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in persons at high risk for
14infection and adults born between 1945 and 1965; and
15WHEREAS, In 2009, the USPSTF issued a Grade A rating for
16screening pregnant women for the hepatitis B virus (HBV) during
17their first prenatal visit; and
18WHEREAS, There is a vaccine for the prevention of hepatitis
19B, the first proven, low-cost vaccination against any form of cancer
20made available to Americans; and
21WHEREAS, Hepatitis B and hepatitis C-related hospitalization
22charges totaled $2.3 billion in 2010 in California, mostly paid for
23by tax-supported public health insurers; and
24WHEREAS, Hepatitis awareness education campaigns and
25accessible screening for hepatitis B and C, along with appropriate
26treatment, can reduce the damage from hepatitis B and C viral
27infection to individuals and to our community, financially, as well
28as physically and emotionally; now, therefore, be it
29Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate
30thereof concurring, That the Legislature of the State of California
31hereby proclaims May 19, 2014, as Viral Hepatitis Awareness
32Day; and be it further
33Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies
34of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.
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