Date:
MAY Hepatitis Awareness Month
Dear Representative/Senator _______________________
As a (physician, nurse practitioner, physician assistant, etc), and a constituent I am writing during
hepatitis awareness month to share some information about viral hepatitis and what you can do
to help.
Hepatitis is a virus that primarily attacks the liver. The three most common types of hepatitis in
the United States are A, B, and C. Hepatitis A and B are vaccine preventable. The hepatitis
vaccine is a two to three dose immunization series and completion of all doses is required for the
best protection against disease acquisition. Although many people who contract hepatitis B (HBV)
are able to clear the virus, those who do not may suffer serious health consequences such as
liver cancer, liver failure, require a liver transplant, or death. Between 2004 and 2006, one
thousand one hundred and seventy two (1,172) chronic cases of hepatitis B were newly
reported in Connecticut. Our state has a limited amount of free hepatitis vaccine for at-risk adult
populations even though the cost of chronic infection far outweighs the cost of vaccination. The
C. Everett Koop Institute has estimated that the lifetime healthcare costs for a patient with chronic
hepatitis B is $65,000 in the absence of liver transplantation. For the 150,000 HBV carriers with
significant liver damage, the lifetime healthcare costs in the U.S have been estimated to be $9
billion.
Six thousand eight hundred and fifty (6,850) chronic cases of hepatitis C (HCV) were newly
reported in Connecticut between 2004 and 2006. This does not include the many people living
with HCV who are unaware of their condition and may not show symptoms for many years.
Based on conservative estimates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC),
there are 60,000 to 70,000 persons in Connecticut living with chronic hepatitis C, and
approximately 20% of those will progress to serious health consequences such as fibrosis,
cirrhosis, liver failure, liver cancer, require a liver transplant or death. The treatment for HCV,
which may require two medications for a minimum of forty-eight weeks, can be very difficult for
some and proficient practitioners are required to care for this special population.
Insert a short paragraph about yourself (your experience with patients) and your
connection to viral hepatitis (optional)
Hepatitis B and C are epidemic health concerns in Connecticut and the entire country. Hepatitis B
and C are serious diseases that can be prevented. Screening and testing is most often not
available for individuals who feel that they may have been exposed to the virus. Access to
affordable care and treatment can be a barrier for those who test positive, and there are minimal
support services available in Connecticut relative to the number of people infected with hepatitis.
I urge you to support increasing awareness and education and the availability of hepatitis A and B
immunizations and infrastructure support for administering and tracking vaccination. I also urge
you to support education, screening and testing, and treatment for persons at-risk for hepatitis C.
Please keep my contact information as I am available as a resource for you if you have any
questions about hepatitis.
Sincerely,
Name and contact information