As a result more than 15,000 Americans, most baby boomers, die each year from Hepatitis C related illness.
Deaths from Hepatitis C are projected to grow significantly in the coming years. This is unacceptable given newly
available therapies that can cure up to 75% of infections.
CDC estimates that one-time testing of baby boomers could identify more than 800,000 additional people with the
virus, prevent expensive health care costs related to liver cancer and other chronic liver diseases. More importantly
save lives.
These draft guidelines are the crucial next step in the United States fight against Viral Hepatitis.
The draft guidelines were developed by a working group including experts from CDC and other federal agencies,
professional associations, community and advocacy groups, local and state health departments.
They are available at www.regulations.gov, docket number CDC-2012-0005, for a public comment period.