In the U.S., there are approximately 5 million Americans living with viral hepatitis, and rates are increasing. However, current public health funding levels are not adequate to address the epidemic or associated public health concerns.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Division of Viral Hepatitis is severely underfunded and needs at least $134 million to strengthen the viral hepatitis infrastructure to prevent more cases and diagnose and treat existing cases. The Infectious Disease Consequences of the Opioid Epidemic Program needs at least $120 million to support harm reduction programs to prevent HIV, viral hepatitis, and other infections associated with unsafe injection drug use.
Email your Members of Congress today and urge them to support increased funding for viral hepatitis.