IV 

111TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION H. RES. 1302 

Supporting the goals and ideals of National Hepatitis Awareness Month 

and World Hepatitis Day. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

APRIL 27, 2010 

Mr. CAO (for himself, Mr. HONDA, Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia, Mr. DENT, and 

Mr. CASSIDY) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 

the Committee on Energy and Commerce 

RESOLUTION 

Supporting the goals and ideals of National Hepatitis 

Awareness Month and World Hepatitis Day. 

Whereas infection with the hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C 

virus and the incidence of liver disease and cancer caused 

by these viruses has become an urgent problem of global 

proportions; 

Whereas it is estimated that 2,000,000,000 people worldwide 

have been infected with the hepatitis B virus and up to 

400,000,000 people worldwide live with chronic infection; 

Whereas an estimated 600,000 people worldwide die each 

year due to the consequences of hepatitis B infection; 

Whereas it is estimated that 170,000,000 people worldwide 

are chronically infected with the hepatitis C virus, with 

an estimated 3,500,000 new infections every year; 


srobinson on DSKHWCL6B1PROD with BILLS
2 

•HRES 1302 IH 

Whereas an estimated 1,700,000 people worldwide die each 

year due to liver failure or primary liver cancer from 

chronic infection of the hepatitis C virus; 

Whereas hepatitis B and hepatitis C infections are a growing 

health crisis in the United States, while an estimated 

5,300,000 people in the United States are chronically infected with either the hepatitis B or hepatitis C virus; 

Whereas an estimated 43,000 new infections of the hepatitis 

B virus and 17,000 new infections of the hepatitis C 

virus occur each year domestically; 

Whereas approximately 65 percent and 75 percent of the infected population are unaware that they are infected with 

the hepatitis B or hepatitis C virus; 

Whereas, because of the asymptomatic nature of the diseases, 

a person who has become chronically infected with the 

hepatitis B or C virus may not have symptoms for up to 

40 years after the initial infection has occurred; 

Whereas many people are unaware they are infected with 

chronic hepatitis B or hepatitis C until they develop 

symptoms of liver cancer or liver disease years later; 

Whereas, as a result, approximately 15,000 people die each 

year from liver disease or liver cancer related to chronic 

viral hepatitis; 

Whereas hepatitis C claims roughly 12,000 deaths each year 

in the United States, and the overall rate of hepatitis Crelated deaths in the United States is expected to triple 

by 2019; 

Whereas African-Americans, Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders, Latinos, Native Americans, Alaskan Natives, gay and 

bisexual men, and persons who inject drugs have higher 


srobinson on DSKHWCL6B1PROD with BILLS
3 

•HRES 1302 IH 

rates of chronic viral hepatitis infections in the United 

States; 

Whereas one-third of HIV-positive people in the United 

States are co-infected with the hepatitis C virus, and onetenth of HIV-positive people in the United States are coinfected with the hepatitis B virus; 

Whereas although life expectancies for HIV-positive persons 

have increased with therapy, liver disease, mostly related 

to hepatitis B and hepatitis C infections, has become the 

most common non-AIDS-related cause of death among 

this population; 

Whereas chronic hepatitis B and C infections cost the United 

States $16,000,000,000 each year; 

Whereas despite the fact that chronic viral hepatitis is the 

most common blood borne infection in the United States, 

there is currently no routine and universal screening in 

place for early detection; 

Whereas in 2010, the Institute of Medicine issued a report 

on their findings about chronic viral hepatitis, which attributed the lack of knowledge and awareness among the 

United States public and health providers, the large 

health disparities, and the current morbidity and mortality, to the lack of dedicated resources; 

Whereas the first World Hepatitis Day on May 19, 2008, 

brought messages about the need for action, compassion, 

and understanding about chronic viral hepatitis around 

the world; and 

Whereas the goals of World Hepatitis Day and National Hepatitis Awareness Month in May are to highlight the global nature of chronic viral hepatitis epidemics, to recognize 

the need for a comprehensive public education and awareVerDate Mar 15 2010 23:19 Apr 27, 2010 Jkt 089200 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\HR1302.IH HR1302

srobinson on DSKHWCL6B1PROD with BILLS
4 

•HRES 1302 IH 

ness campaign designed to help infected patients and 

their physicians identify and manage the secondary prevention of the disease, and to help increase the length 

and quality of life for those diagnosed with chronic hepatitis B and C infections: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

2 (1) supports the goals and ideals of World Hep3 atitis Day and National Hepatitis Awareness Month; 

4 and 

5 (2) promotes raising awareness of the risks and 

6 consequences of undiagnosed chronic hepatitis B and 

7 hepatitis C infections, and the urgency for a robust 

8 governmental and public health response to protect 

9 the health of more than 5,000,000 people in the 

10 United States and nearly 600,000,000 people world11 wide who suffer from chronic viral hepatitis. 

Æ 


srobinson on DSKHWCL6B1PROD with BILLS