ADVISORY/Pa. House Committee To Hold Hearing April 16 on Hepatitis C; Silent Killer Strikes Millions In U.S. and Pa.
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WHAT: A public hearing before the Pa. House Health and Human
Services Committee, chaired by State Rep. Dennis O'Brien
(R-Phila) to address Hepatitis C as a serious public health
threat, increase awareness of the disease and discuss issues
surrounding the disease.
O'Brien has introduced an amendment to the state budget bill
to appropriate $500,000 toward Hepatitis screening and public
education. House Resolution 394 and a proclamation by Gov.
Ridge both recently designated April as "Hepatitis Awareness
Month" in Pennsylvania.
WHO: Representatives of the American Liver Foundation and the
Hepatitis C Foundation, Hepatitis C victims from Philadelphia,
prominent physicians and researchers and a high-ranking
official of Pa. Health Dept. will testify on the need for public
education and early detection of the disease.
WHERE: Magee Rehabilitation Hospital
6 Franklin Plaza
16th and Race Streets
Philadelphia, Pa.
WHEN: 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
WHY: Thousands of Pennsylvanians may be infected with Hepatitis C
and may not know it.
Hepatitis C is the leading cause of liver disease in the U.S.
If left undiagnosed and untreated, those with Chronic
Hepatitis C will develop cirrhosis (scarring of the liver),
liver failure and liver cancer.
3.5 million Americans have chronic Hepatitis C, and about
10,000 will die from complications of the disease. The death
rate due to Hepatitis C is expected to triple in the next
10 to 20 years, exceeding the number of annual deaths due to
AIDS.
However, there is treatment, and many respond to it.
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