San Francisco City Hall lights up in honor of World Hepatitis Day

(SAN FRANCISCO) San Francisco City Hall lighted up on July 28 in honor of World Hepatitis Day. Friends and supporters of the SF Hep B Free Bay Area gathered in front of City Hall on World Hepatitis Day to raise the awareness of the viral hepatitis disease for the community and celebrate the work of SF Hep B Free - Bay Area for over a decade.

SF Hep B Free - Bay Area is the largest healthcare campaign for the Asian community in the nation. It has worked with the city to light up City Hall on July 28 every year since 2008.

This year, SF Hep B Free - Bay Area is partnering with NEMS and other advocates to highlight the fight against viral hepatitis and the importance of testing and treatment.

In accordance with the studies, hepatitis B and C are the leading cause of liver cancer and liver transplants in California and the United States. 5.2 million Americans are estimated to be infected with the disease chronically. More people die from hepatitis B and C-related liver disease in California than in any other state.

In California, hepatitis B and C screenings, vaccines and antiviral treatments are covered by Medi-Cal and most private health plans.

California is the first state in the country to provide voluntary screenings to adults for hepatitis B and C with the passage of AB 789.

“The passage of AB 789, which requires primary care practitioners to offer a hepatitis B and C test to patients in the primary care setting, is a major step

towards catching the two thirds of those infected with chronic hep who do not know it and so many with hepatitis C as well,” said Richard So, Executive Director of SF Hep B Free Bay Area.

“It is also the first time for California to allocate $8 million state fund to go to the community groups for hepatitis B prevention, screening, vaccination and linkage to care work over the next three years. It was passed in the state budget,” So said.

“Hepatitis B is one of the largest health disparities in San Francisco, with an estimated 1 in 12 Asians chronically infected and at risk for liver cancer and cirrhosis,” stated Dr. Amy Tang, Director of Immigrant Health of North East Medical Services. “Hepatitis B infection is often known as the silent killer, and many people often don’t know they have it until it is too late. We have the tools to pave the way for a hepatitis free future. I encourage everyone to ask their

doctor to get screened for hepatitis B and C if they haven’t already done so. It could save your life.”