06-R 216

2006 -- H 8032

Enacted 04/25/06

H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N

PROCLAIMING THE MONTH OF MAY, 2006 AS "VIRAL HEPATITIS AWARENESS MONTH"

IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

Introduced By: Representative Joseph M. McNamara

Date Introduced: April 25, 2006

     WHEREAS, Citizens of Rhode Island value their health and foster a climate in which all

Rhode Islanders will have the opportunity to live a safe and healthy life. Rhode Islanders are

proud to support observances that raise the awareness of public health issues such as viral

hepatitis; and

     WHEREAS, According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Rhode

Island Department of Health, it is estimated that more than 3,500 Rhode Islanders are infected

with the Hepatitis B Virus and more than 18,000 Rhode Islanders are infected with the Hepatitis

C Virus; and

     WHEREAS, Of those infected 80-85% are diagnosed with Hepatitis C, and 10-15% of

those are diagnosed with Hepatitis B that will develop to a chronic infection, and an estimated

10,000 Rhode Islanders will develop chronic liver disease; and

     WHEREAS, Viral hepatitis is typically asymptomatic, and therefore infected individuals

may unknowingly transmit the virus to others; and

     WHEREAS, Persons infected with Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C may not learn of their

infection until 10 to 30 years later when complications arise from chronic viral hepatitis; and

     WHEREAS, Hepatitis C infection is the largest single cause for liver transplantation and

one of the principal causes of liver cancer and cirrhosis; and

     WHEREAS, Chronic Hepatitis C infection is the most common indication for liver

transplantation in the United States; and

     WHEREAS, The regional cost of a liver transplant currently averages about $350,000 for

immediate hospital and doctor expenses indicating the HCV prevention, testing, and treatment

should be considered as cost-effective public policies; and

     WHEREAS, There are now more than 20,000 people in the United States waiting for a

liver transplant, but there are currently only about 4,900 livers available each year; and

     WHEREAS, All Viral Hepatitides (A, B, and C) are preventable through education or

immunization; and

     WHEREAS, Vaccinations exist for Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B, and there is a need to

promote immunizations, especially for those who are infected with other hepatitis viruses; and

     WHEREAS, No vaccine exists for Hepatitis C, and treatments have limited success,

making this infection among the most costly disease in terms of health care cost, lost wages, and

reduced productivity; and

     WHEREAS, Early diagnosis can lead to the possibility of preventing further transmission

of viral hepatitis; and

     WHEREAS, Prevention education and other preventive measures, such as vaccination,

can lead to the prevention of viral hepatitis; and

     WHEREAS, The General Assembly as an institution, and members of the General

Assembly as individuals, are in unique positions to help raise public awareness about the need for

increased funding for prevention education and immunization for Hepatitis A and B, and

increased research on viral hepatitis; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and

Providence Plantations hereby proclaims the month of May, 2006 as "Viral Hepatitis Awareness

Month" in the State of Rhode Island and also applauds local community organizations and health

care providers for their role in promoting awareness about viral hepatitis, and the importance of

early detection, prevention education, other preventing measures and ongoing screening; and be it

further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and he hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to the Viral Hepatitis Advisory Group.

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LC03065

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