Hepatitis Awareness Month

By virtue of the authority vested by the Constitution of Virginia in the Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, there is hereby officially recognized:

WHEREAS, millions of Americans are impacted by the hepatitis A virus (HAV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), and hepatitis C virus (HCV), which cause infection to the liver; and

WHEREAS, an estimated 39,900 Virginians are living with HCV, and approximately 2,000 HBV cases are reported to the state every year; and

WHEREAS, more than half of Virginians living with viral hepatitis are unaware they are infected, thereby increasing their risk for cirrhosis, liver cancer, and death; and

WHEREAS, with early detection, hepatitis B can be treated, and hepatitis C can be cured, saving lives; and

WHEREAS, the current epidemic of opioid and other substance use is increasing transmission of these viruses; and

WHEREAS, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends that all adults aged 18 years and older and pregnant women be screened for HBV and HCV, all children and at-risk adults be vaccinated against HAV, and all children and adults aged 19 to 59 be vaccinated against HBV; and

WHEREAS, the CDC recommends education of the public and healthcare professionals regarding hepatitis prevention, testing, and treatment and the development of systems to conduct viral hepatitis surveillance; and

WHEREAS, stakeholders from the hepatitis community have established the Virginia Hepatitis Coalition to advance elimination efforts in the state through advocacy, support, education, as well as access to prevention, diagnosis, and treatment;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Glenn Youngkin, do hereby recognize May 2023, as HEPATITIS AWARENESS MONTH in our COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, and I call this observance to the attention of our citizens.

Governor of Virginia

Proclamations