Mayoral Candidates Called on to Issue Plans for Ending Hepatitis and Liver Cancer in San Francisco

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Angela Pang, apang@asianweek.com, (415) 373-4002


Mayoral Candidates Called on to Issue Plans for Ending Hepatitis and Liver Cancer in San Francisco

-Asian and LGBT Leaders Join Hep B and Hep C Advocates-


WHAT:
San Francisco has the highest rate of liver cancer in the country and liver cancer is the deadliest cancer in America. The main cause of liver cancer is hepatitis infection.

For first time Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C advocates will join together with leaders in healthcare, the Asian American community and the LGBT community to call on all candidates running for San Francisco Mayor to issue statements on how they will end Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C in San Francisco, the primary causes of liver cancer.

WHO:
San Francisco Hepatitis C Task Force
San Francisco Hep B Free
Fiona Ma, California Assembly Speaker Pro Tempore
Scott Wiener, San Francisco Supervisor
Ted Fang, AsianWeek Foundation and San Francisco Hep B Free
Emalie Huriaux, San Francisco Hepatitis C Task Force
Community leaders

WHEN:
Monday, October 17, 2011
4:30 p.m.

WHERE:
City Hall Steps
1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place
San Francisco

BACKGROUND:
Hep B Free - a citywide effort to make San Francisco the first city in America to be free of hepatitis B - has teamed up with the San Francisco Hepatitis C Task Force - a diverse group of individuals who have developed recommendations for strategically addressing hepatitis C in San Francisco. The groups are jointly asking mayoral candidates to issue statements on how their administration will end the hepatitis B and hepatitis C epidemics in the city if they are elected.

In July of this year the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services issued the first ever U.S. National Viral Hepatitis Action Plan, providing a coordinated, nationwide approach to address viral hepatitis. U.S. Assistant Secretary of Health Dr. Howard Koh will be in San Francisco on November 4 to make a keynote address on the subject of "Ending ALL Hepatitis" at the 4th Annual "B a Hero" Hep B Free gala.

The mayoral candidates' statements will be published in the evening's Event Program, distributed to the media and published online including AsianWeek.com, HepCSF.org and SFHepBFree.org.

RSVP to:
Angela Pang, apang@asianweek.com or (415) 373-4002.

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About Hepatitis B
Chronic Hep B infection is the greatest cause of liver cancer in the world, and the greatest health disparity between Asians and non-Asians. One in 10 Asians are chronically infected with Hep B and are 4 times more likely to die from liver cancer compared with the general population. 80% of liver cancer worldwide is caused by chronic HBV infection. Early detection of HBV will benefit the carrier as well as prevent the infection from spreading. Hepatitis B is not only vaccine preventable, but it also has effective treatments that prevent liver cancer.

About Hep B Free
Hep B Free is a multi-faceted and comprehensive campaign to make America free of hepatitis B disease and liver cancer through a nationwide collaboration, and network of localized efforts. The model was begun in San Francisco and is being replicated in Las Vegas, Washington DC, Philadelphia, San Mateo County, Los Angeles County, Orange County, Hawaii and other municipalities. AsianWeek Foundation is a co-founder of Hep B Free with Asian Liver Center at Stanford University and San Francisco Department of Public Health. sfhepbfree.org

About Hepatitis C
Chronic Hep C is the most common chronic bloodborne infection in the United States and the leading indication for liver transplant in the U.S. An estimated 4-6 million Americans are living with hepatitis C - most are unaware of their infection. Each year over 12,000 people die from hepatitis C-related liver disease in the U.S. There is no vaccine to prevent hepatitis C. Early detection and treatment are essential to improving the lives of people living with hepatitis C and preventing new infections.

About San Francisco Hep C Task Force
In 2009, Mayor Gavin Newsom appointed a diverse group of individuals to form the San Francisco Hepatitis C Task Force and develop recommendations about how to strategically address hepatitis C in the city. In 2010, the Task Force developed recommendations in specific topic areas (i.e., Care & Treatment; Prevention, Education, Awareness & Testing; Public Policy; and Research & Surveillance). The Task Force continues to meet to ensure implementation of its recommendations. HepCSF.org