The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced last week that it had carefully examined cause of death records and found that by 2007 viral hepatitis caused more deaths than HIV/AIDS.
The CDC conducted a review of death records for the mention of Hepatitis B or C, and HIV/AIDS, for the period from 1999 to 2007. Deaths associated with Hepatitis B remained constant, HIV/AIDS deaths declined. Deaths caused by Hepatitis C increased...significantly. Almost three quarters of the Hepatitis C-related deaths occurred in people between 45 and 64 years of age.
Scott Holmberg, MD, of the CDC, presented these sobering findings at a meeting of liver disease specialists (the AASLD) in San Francisco, on November 8. Holmberg noted that the results call for a change in policy direction to improve detection of Hepatitis C and access to care for patients. He noted that "...we think a commitment to detect and treat chronic HCV will markedly improve the growing wave of disability and death from this under-appreciated viral infection."
The facts speak for themselves. We need to make sure that CDC's commitment to bring the hidden epidemic of Hepatitis C out of the shadows is realized. Broad Hepatitis C testing and full access to care are a healthcare priority NOW.
The CDC conducted a review of death records for the mention of Hepatitis B or C, and HIV/AIDS, for the period from 1999 to 2007. Deaths associated with Hepatitis B remained constant, HIV/AIDS deaths declined. Deaths caused by Hepatitis C increased...significantly. Almost three quarters of the Hepatitis C-related deaths occurred in people between 45 and 64 years of age.
Scott Holmberg, MD, of the CDC, presented these sobering findings at a meeting of liver disease specialists (the AASLD) in San Francisco, on November 8. Holmberg noted that the results call for a change in policy direction to improve detection of Hepatitis C and access to care for patients. He noted that "...we think a commitment to detect and treat chronic HCV will markedly improve the growing wave of disability and death from this under-appreciated viral infection."
The facts speak for themselves. We need to make sure that CDC's commitment to bring the hidden epidemic of Hepatitis C out of the shadows is realized. Broad Hepatitis C testing and full access to care are a healthcare priority NOW.
RSS Feed