Free Screenings, Vaccinations, Health Fairs to Mark 6th Annual World Hepatitis Day in NYC (July 28)
Nearly 250,000 in NYC Infected with Hepatitis B or C Viruses, which Cause 4,000 Deaths a Day Worldwide
New York, NY, July 24, 2015 – The Hep Free NYC Network, a multi-sector coalition comprised of the NYC Hep C Task Force and the NYC Hep B Coalition, is promoting a number of activities to support the global World Hepatitis Day awareness campaign. Activities include: free screenings and vaccinations, community health events throughout the five boroughs, a social media campaign, and dissemination of health care access tools and resources.
World Hepatitis Day was initiated in 2008 by the World Hepatitis Alliance to raise awareness about the global viral hepatitis epidemic. 400 million people worldwide live with hepatitis B or C, including up to 5.3 million Americans and nearly 250,000 in NYC alone. Both diseases are preventable, easily diagnosable and treatable, but because they silently attack the liver over many years, most people don’t know they’re infected until they are seriously or fatally ill with liver disease or liver cancer. As a result, hepatitis B and C claim 4,000 lives a day worldwide and 12,000-18,000 American lives each year.
The Hep Free NYC Network is focused on driving New Yorkers to take action — the first step being simply to learn whether they may be at risk. Many resources are available to help New Yorkers learn if they are at risk and get into care:
- Websites: NYC or the NYC Health Department www.NYC.gov/health/hepatitis
- Hepatitis testing and care site locators: nyc/resources/site-locator
Hepatitis C: Get Tested, Get Cured
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends anyone born between 1945 and 1965 get tested for hep C – members of the Baby Boom generation, who may harbor long-term infection, currently represent the majority of people dying from HCV-related illness. Also recommended for testing are people: who received a blood transfusion prior to 1992; who have shared injection drug use equipment; who were born in, or who received medical care in, countries where hepatitis C is common; who have had unprotected sex; or who are HIV-positive. African Americans have a higher rate of hepatitis C than other ethnic groups.
New Yorkers are encouraged to ask their primary care doctors about hep C screening. If the virus is detected, new oral medications offer more than 90% cure rate.
Hepatitis B: Get Tested, Get Care
The CDC encourages screening for people at risk of hepatitis B infection including: people from countries where hepatitis B is prevalent (e.g. in Asia and Africa); household contacts of infected persons; people who have shared injection drug use equipment; people who are HIV-positive; and men who have sex with men. Importantly, hepatitis B can be passed from a mother to infant during birth, though this can be prevented through medical care.
Hepatitis B can be managed with antiviral medications. It is important that all people living with Hep B see a doctor to assess their liver health and screen for liver cancer. Find Hep B testing and care in NYC.
Hep B Prevention through Vaccination
Universal infant and childhood vaccine programs have greatly reduced new hepatitis B cases in the U.S., and Hep Free NYC is striving to reduce mother to child transmission to zero through support of the national Universal Hep B Birth Dose Initiative for hospitals and birthing centers. Still, many people living in New York may not have received the vaccine at birth because it was not yet available or because they were born in another country. Find places to get the Hep B vaccine in NYC.
Viral Hepatitis Prevention through Harm Reduction
An new wave of the opioid epidemic is emerging in the U.S., placing a new, younger generation of Americans at greater risk of contracting viral hepatitis through sharing of injection drug use equipment. Preventing new outbreaks will require improved intervention efforts, inclusive of greater access to substance use treatment and harm reduction and syringe exchange services.
Free Word Hepatitis Day Screenings, Vaccines & Events
Local activities commenced with a Candlelight Vigil at Washington Square Park on Sunday, July 19 to honor 4000 people lost each day to the diseases.
A list of free screening locations and other events (eg, lectures, webinars, Health Fairs) in the five boroughs is available at the Hep Free NYC calendar. These include but are not limited to:
July 23: National African American Hepatitis C Action Day Health Fair at Harlem Hospital
July 24: Free Hep B Vaccination Fridays, Korean Community Services in Flushing Queens
July 25: National African American Hepatitis C Action Day Health Fair at Help USA – Wards Island
July 26: Hepatitis B/Liver Cancer Lecture + Free Hep B Screening at New York Hospital Queens
July 28: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Live Stream of World Hepatitis Day event “Working Together to Improve Viral Hepatitis Outcomes in the U.S.” featuring presentations and discussions by from White House, federal agency and community leaders. More information: www.hhs.gov/live-2
The Charles B. Wang Community Center and African Services Committee regularly offers free hepatitis B screenings.
Social Media Campaign
Leading up to July 28, New Yorkers can take part in the #WorldHepatitisDay #4000Voices social media campaign, where they can be included on a digital map collage of #4000voices tweets from around the world and in a July 28 Thunderclap of thousands of social media posts released simultaneously. New Yorkers are also encouraged to use #HepFreeNYC
World Hepatitis Day: Raising Awareness, Encouraging Testing – Huffington Post
NYC screenings and vaccines for World Hepatitis Day – amNewYork
About Hep Free NYC
Hep Free NYC is comprised of two citywide networks, the NYC Hep B Coalition and the NYC Hep C Task Force, whose members include community based organizations, health care organizations, providers, advocates and other interested parties. The mission is to build community capacity and coordinate efforts for effective prevention, screening and treatment to reduce hepatitis B and C among NYC residents.
Last Updated on May 19, 2020 by HepFree NYC
Tags: Hepatitis B Hepatitis C Hepatitis C & HIV
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