Governor Proclaims Hepatitis Awareness Month and Hepatitis Testing Day 2021

WHEREAS, millions of Americans are living with chronic hepatitis, and most are unaware of their infection; viral hepatitis is the leading cause of liver transplants and liver cancer, representing a significant disease burden; and

WHEREAS, there is an ongoing outbreak of hepatitis A in North Carolina and nationwide; and

WHEREAS, in 2019, there were 185 acute cases and 25,463 chronic cases of hepatitis B in North Carolina, as well as 184 acute cases and an estimated more than 150,000 chronic cases of hepatitis C; and

WHEREAS, vaccines are available to prevent hepatitis A and B infections, and while there is no vaccine, there is a cure for hepatitis C; and

WHEREAS, World Hepatitis Testing Day is observed annually on May 19; the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends routine hepatitis C testing for certain groups, including people born between 1945 and 1965 and individuals who currently use intravenous drugs or have ever injected drugs; and

WHEREAS, the State of North Carolina is actively working to promote evidence-based risk reduction strategies, such as syringe service programs, as a method to reduce the spread of hepatitis; and

WHEREAS, Hepatitis Awareness Month is an opportunity to recognize efforts to eliminate disease burden and associated health inequities in our state, and to commend the many people working to improve health outcomes by supporting research, patient education, and prevention efforts to stop the spread of viral hepatitis; and

WHEREAS, the State of North Carolina joins the CDC, state and local public health departments, community-based organizations, hospitals, health care providers, and other community, health care, and faith-based organizations in promoting hepatitis awareness and prevention;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, ROY COOPER, Governor of the State of North Carolina, do hereby proclaim May, 2021, as “HEPATITIS AWARENESS MONTH” and May 19, 2021, as “Hepatitis Testing Day” in North Carolina, and commend its observance to all citizens.