Treatment GuideJust DiagnosedSex & DatingAfrican AmericanStigmaAsk the HIV DocPrEP En EspañolNewsVoicesPrint IssueVideoOut 100
CONTACTCAREER OPPORTUNITIESADVERTISE WITH USPRIVACY POLICYPRIVACY PREFERENCESTERMS OF USELEGAL NOTICE
© 2024 Pride Publishing Inc.
All Rights reserved
All Rights reserved
By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Private Policy and Terms of Use.
A new Institute of Medicine report calls for a major public-health push against hepatitis B and C, two liver diseases that together infect three to five times more Americans than HIV.
[ WELLNESS WEDNESDAY ]
Over the next decade, 150,000 people in the United States will die of either hepatitis B or C, according to the report. Though some patients fight them off, the viruses become chronic and incurable in 3.5 million to 5.3 million Americans, IOM estimates. Hepatitis B and C necessitate nearly half the liver transplants performed each year, and the infections disproportionately affect minorities, including blacks, Asians, and Pacific Islanders.IOM's recommendations include:
>Boosting public awareness. People at greatest risk for hepatitis B include those born in parts of Asia and Africa where the disease in endemic, infants born to infected mothers, sexual partners of infected persons, and injecting drug users. Those at highest risk of hepatitis C include current and former IDUs as well as people who received a blood transfusion prior to 1992, when screening for the virus became available.
>Improving uptake of hepatitis B vaccine. Three states -- Alabama, Montana, and South Dakota -- do not require hepatitis B vaccination for children entering daycare or school. Vaccinating at-risk newborns against the virus in the delivery room, instead of the current practice of within 12 hours of birth, may give additional protection.
>Ramping up research into a vaccine against hepatitis C; currently, none exists. >Enhancing health services for hepatitis B and C patients and improving screening of those at risk, with special attention paid to stigma. Immigrants from countries where discrimination against infected persons is widespread -- China, for example -- may be especially reluctant to seek testing.
Want more breaking equality news & trending entertainment stories?
Check out our NEW 24/7 streaming service: the Advocate Channel!
Download the Advocate Channel App for your mobile phone and your favorite streaming device!
From our Sponsors
Most Popular
Before AIDS, gay artist Rex drew hot men on the prowl — then he disappeared
April 11 2024 3:15 PM
Diets that mimic fasting reverse aging: study
March 07 2024 5:28 PM
PrEP without a prescription now a reality in California
February 06 2024 8:37 PM
Injectable HIV treatment, prevention: Everything you need to know
March 26 2024 3:28 PM
8 dating tips for gay men from a gay therapist
March 21 2024 2:50 PM
Happy national foreskin day!
April 04 2024 1:45 PM
The science behind U=U has been liberating people with HIV for years
June 04 2024 3:31 PM
Scarlet fever: exploring our fascination with blood
March 13 2024 1:47 PM
On Anal Sex Day, crack up with The Bottom's Digest
April 18 2024 10:22 AM
Plus: Featured Video
Latest Stories
Activist and philanthropist Bruce Bastian dies at 76
June 26 2024 1:28 PM
Yes, HIV-positive people can safely breastfeed
June 26 2024 12:59 PM
Exclusive: We kiki with Q from 'RuPaul's Drag Race'
June 24 2024 11:37 AM
Court rules to keep PrEP coverage under Obamacare
June 21 2024 5:42 PM
In honor of Juneteenth 2024, meet The Normal Anomaly
June 19 2024 1:39 PM
What is Juneteenth?
June 19 2024 11:30 AM
As Pride party season begins, the CDC urges mpox vaccinations
May 16 2024 6:52 PM
Advocacy in action with AIDSWatch
May 09 2024 12:30 PM
The Talk: Thriving with HIV
May 08 2024 10:45 AM
The Talk: What HIV isn’t
May 07 2024 10:48 AM
The Talk: Finding balance with HIV
May 06 2024 10:51 AM
Justice Dept plans to reschedule marijuana as a lower-risk drug
May 03 2024 2:40 PM
The Talk: Starting your journey with HIV
May 03 2024 2:00 PM
Why is a mother’s mental health so important? A doctor explains
May 01 2024 1:38 PM
Walmart to close all of its health care clinics
April 30 2024 12:30 PM
Vampire facial spa infected several women with HIV
April 29 2024 7:26 PM