Friday July 28th is World Hepatitis Day!

World Hepatitis Day (WHD) takes place every year on the 28th of this month and brings the world together to raise awareness about this disease that affects so many people. Here in Harlem, the disease has had a strong impact with. For more information on this day CLICK HERE 

Details about hepatitis:

Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver. The condition can resolved spontaneously with or without specific treatmentor or it  can progress to fibrosis (scarring), chronic liver damage or liver cancer. Hepatitis is categorized by its severity into 5 categories which are Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, Hepatitis D and Hepatitis E. For more details on the different types  CLICK HERE .

• Viral hepatitis is one of the leading causes of death globally, accounting for 1.34 million deaths per year.
• Together, hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C  cause 80% of liver cancer cases in the world.
• For resources and job search in Harlem and throughout the city for those with Hepatitis, visit  HEREIn New York City there an organization that focused mainly on Hepatitis and that is HEP Free NYC; Hep Free NYC is a network made up of the NYC Hep B Coalition and NYC Hep C Task Force. The network brings together community based organizations, service providers, healthcare institutions, and others interested in viral hepatitis. For more information CLICK HERE
• To obtain a free testing and to find a location near you throughout the city, visit: HERE 

More things to know and to be part of the movement sign up for the New York State Hepatitis C Elimination campaign by clicking HERE.  The New York State (NYS) Hepatitis C Elimination Campaign is a growing statewide effort of countless advocates and organizations dedicated to comprehensively addressing and eliminating hepatitis C. 

Local impact 

Here in New York City, the number and rate of people newly reported with chronic hepatitis C have decreased overall across the boroughs, specifically for men, people aged 40 to 59, Baby Boomers, and residents of high-poverty neighborhoods. However, East Harlem is one of the neighborhoods with the highest rate of newly reported cases of hepatitis C. In their annual Hepatitis B and C report, New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene reported that there were more than 96.3 cases of hepatitis C per 100,000 people in East Harlem, West Harlem and Central Harlem.

Let’s all celebrate staying healthy, if unsure about whether you have hepatitis get tested to protect yourself and others!