HEP EXPRESS
Viral hepatitis news from the Immunization Action Coalition
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Issue Number 29 May 10, 2005

CONTENTS OF THIS ISSUE

1. May 9-16 is the first National Hepatitis B Awareness Week;
"Aim for the B" campaign is planned for the same time
2. CDC's website highlights Hepatitis Awareness Month
activities around the nation
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ABBREVIATIONS: ACIP, Advisory Committee on Immunization
Practices; CDC, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; DVH,
Division of Viral Hepatitis; HAV, hepatitis A virus; HBV,
hepatitis B virus; HCV, hepatitis C virus; IAC, Immunization
Action Coalition; IDU, injection drug user; MMWR, Morbidity and
Mortality Weekly Report; MSM, men who have sex with men; STD,
sexually transmitted disease; VIS, Vaccine Information
Statement; WHO, World Health Organization.
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May 10, 2005
MAY 9-16 IS THE FIRST NATIONAL HEPATITIS B AWARENESS WEEK; "AIM
FOR THE B" CAMPAIGN IS PLANNED FOR THE SAME TIME

[The following is cross posted from the Immunization Action
Coalition's "IAC EXPRESS" electronic newsletter, 05/09/05.]

The Hepatitis B Foundation (HBF) recently announced that the
U.S. Congress has designated May 9-16 as the first National
Hepatitis B Awareness Week. A public awareness campaign, "AIM
for the B," sponsored by HBF and Bristol-Myers Squibb, is
scheduled for the same time. The campaign includes events in
four U.S. cities that have a high prevalence of chronic
hepatitis B virus infection: Philadelphia, PA; New York, NY;
San Jose, CA; and San Francisco, CA. Following is excerpted
information from the HBF website about both the awareness week
and the awareness campaign.

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FIRST NATIONAL HEPATITIS B AWARENESS WEEK
May 9-16, 2005

For the first time, the U.S. Congress issued a resolution
designating May 9-16, 2005, as National Hepatitis B Awareness
Week. The resolution calls for Americans to observe the week
with programs and activities to raise awareness about
hepatitis B as an important public health concern. It also seeks
to highlight the potentially life-threatening consequences of
chronic hepatitis B and the urgency to seek appropriate
care. . . .

The resolution specifically recognizes the need for a
comprehensive public education and awareness campaign for
patients and physicians in order to help increase the length and
quality of life [of] those diagnosed with chronic
hepatitis B. . . .

"AIM FOR THE B" CAMPAIGN SPOTLIGHTS HEPATITIS B

"AIM for the B" (Awareness, Involvement, and Mobilization for
Chronic Hepatitis B) is a public awareness program that will
take place May 9-16, 2005, to coincide with National Hepatitis B
Awareness Week. Local physicians, patients, and third-party
organizations will gather to share their experiences with the
disease, and discuss the importance of early diagnosis and
care. . . .

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To access the announcement about National Hepatitis B Awareness
Week and the text of the Congressional resolution, go to:
http://www.hepb.org/about/week.htm

To access the announcement about the "AIM for the B" campaign,
go to: http://www.hepb.org/about/aim.htm
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May 10, 2005
CDC'S WEBSITE HIGHLIGHTS HEPATITIS AWARENESS MONTH ACTIVITIES
AROUND THE NATION

May has been designated National Hepatitis Awareness Month, a
time to educate the public, members of the media, elected
officials, and healthcare professionals about viral hepatitis.

The Division of Viral Hepatitis website offers timely
information regarding activities planned for this occasion. The
website includes resources for bridging the Spanish-language
gap, a viral hepatitis quiz in Spanish, and hepatitis awareness
activities listed by state and city.

To access this information, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/hepatitis/may.htm

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We hope you will forward this e-newsletter to others.

Managing editor: Teresa A. Anderson, DDS, MPH
Copy editor: Dale Thompson
Editorial assistant: Janelle Tangonan Anderson
ISSN: 1547-6375

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past issues, please visit http://www.hepprograms.org/hepexpress

This publication is supported by Grant No. U50/CCU523259 from
the Division of Viral Hepatitis at the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention. Its contents are solely the responsibility of IAC
and do not necessarily represent the official views of CDC.
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DISCLAIMER: http://www.immunize.org/admin/discl-ex.htm

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