•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 in-
fected 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 in-
fected 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 C- 
related deaths in the United States is expected to triple 
by 2019; 
Whereas African-Americans, Asian Americans, Pacific Island-
ers, Latinos, Native Americans, Alaskan Natives, gay and 
bisexual men, and persons who inject drugs have higher 
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•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 one- 
tenth of HIV-positive people in the United States are co- 
infected 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 at-
tributed the lack of knowledge and awareness among the 
United States public and health providers, the large 
health disparities, and the current morbidity and mor-
tality, 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 Hep-
atitis Awareness Month in May are to highlight the glob-
al nature of chronic viral hepatitis epidemics, to recognize 
the need for a comprehensive public education and aware-
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ness campaign designed to help infected patients and 
their physicians identify and manage the secondary pre-
vention of the disease, and to help increase the length 
and quality of life for those diagnosed with chronic hepa-
titis B and C infections: Now, therefore, be it 
Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 
(1) supports the goals and ideals of World Hep-
atitis Day and National Hepatitis Awareness Month; 
and 
(2) promotes raising awareness of the risks and 
consequences of undiagnosed chronic hepatitis B and 
hepatitis C infections, and the urgency for a robust 
governmental and public health response to protect 
the health of more than 5,000,000 people in the 
United States and nearly 600,000,000 people world-
wide who suffer from chronic viral hepatitis. 
Æ 
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