There have been a number of news items about hepatitis B recently, so we are dedicating this issue of the NVHR newsletter to bringing you B-news stories.

New NVHR Advocacy Brief: Hepatitis B and the Uninsured

Expansion of health insurance coverage offers significant opportunities to reduce the burden of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) in the United States Public and Private Insurance Coverage for Chronic Hepatitis B Patients: Health Reform Will Facilitate Early Investments Providing Long-Term Benefits. NVHR recently released a new fact sheet on hepatitis B and the uninsured. Read the brief here. The advocacy brief is based on a recent report by Health Management Associates, "Public and Private Insurance Coverage for Chronic Hepatitis B Patients." The full report can be accessed here

UC Davis Cancer Doc Speaks Out About Hepatitis B and Liver Cancer

Dr. Moon Chen speaks compellingly about "The Link Between Hepatitis B and Liver Cancer: The Asian American Community" on YouTube as part of the National Cancer Institute's Lifelines series to promote the 2011 HHS Action Plan to Reduce Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities. 

CDC Updates Recommendations for HBV infected Health Providers and Students

On July 6th, the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality weekly report published guidelines for the management of HBV-infected health care professionals and students, updated from their 1991 recommendations.  Read the full report here

NVHR Welcomes New Hepatitis B Awareness Campaign

Hep B United is a new national campaign that aims to promote, support and leverage the success of local community coalitions to raise the profile of hepatitis B and liver cancer as urgent public health priorities. By working together to advance the HHS National Viral Hepatitis Action Plan, it seeks to provide a strong voice and united presence at the national level. This broad-based campaign includes national and local community-based coalitions, nonprofit organizations, federal health agencies (HHS, OMH, and CDC), and private sector partners. Spearheaded by the Hepatitis B Foundation and the Association of Asian Pacific Community Health Organizations, Hep B United is ultimately committed to decreasing the enormous burden of hepatitis B and liver cancer. For more information, visit www.HepBUnited.org.