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Friday, November 11, 2011

ABC 7 Alan Wang and Assemblywoman Fiona Ma YouTube Video about Hepatitis

Thanks to our 4th Annual Ending All Hepatitis Gala emcees, ABC7 news reporter and anchor Alan Wang, and Assemblywoman Fiona Ma for being vocal advocates and huge supporters of the SF Hep B Free Campaign from the beginning.

Here is a YouTube video link from 2008, one of many that Fiona Ma and Alan Wang have made to raise awareness of this greatest health disparity between Asian Americans with the rest of the US population. All of us at the SF Hep B Free Campaign give our utmost gratitude to the wonderful support and publicity these two notable figures have given and continue to give in promoting our cause to eradicate Hepatitis B in the Asian community!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lYpfYG7tmqo&feature=related

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

List of Media Coverage of Dr. Koh's Press Event

The press conference on Nov. 4 was covered by several news media outlets. See the list below for an updated index of all media coverage:

Media Coverage Index

1. SF Officials Take On Hepatitis B
By Patricia Decker – Bay City News, November 4, 2011

2. SF Mayor Ed Lee Joins U.S. Assistant Secretary For Health Today
By Zennie Abraham – SFGate.com, November 4, 2011

3. San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee Joins US Health and Human Services in Supporting Efforts to Eradicate Viral Hepatitis
San Francisco Sentinel, November 4, 2011

4. Mayoral candidates talk hep B and C
By Liz Highleyman – Bay Area Reporter, November 3, 2011

Broadcast Coverage Index

1. KCBS News
By Margie Shafer – KCBS, November 4, 2011, 12:30 pm

2. ABC7 News at 4 PM
KGO, November 4, 2011, 4:12 pm

Check out our Gala page to download the radio clips!


Print & Online Coverage Index

3. SF Officials Take On Hepatitis B
By Patricia Decker – Bay City News Wire, November 4, 2011

*Please note this story was posted on the Bay Citizen, KGO, and SF Appeal.

4. SF Mayor Ed Lee Joins U.S. Assistant Secretary For Health Today
By Zennie Abraham – SFGate.com, November 4, 2011

5. San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee Joins US Health and Human Services in Supporting Efforts to Eradicate Viral Hepatitis
San Francisco Sentinel, November 4, 2011

6. Mayoral candidates talk hep B and C
By Liz Highleyman – Bay Area Reporter, November 3, 2011



Full Print & Online Coverage

SF Officials Take On Hepatitis B
By Patricia Decker – Bay City News, November 4, 2011

*Please note this story was posted on the Bay Citizen, KGO, and SF Appeal.




Full Media Coverage

SF Officials Take On Hepatitis B
By Patricia Decker – Bay City News, November 4, 2011

State and federal health officials joined San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee this morning to discuss a national plan to eradicate a silent killer--viral hepatitis, which causes hepatitis B.

Between 3.5 and 5.3 million Americans are affected by the virus, which is the leading cause of liver cancer, according to health officials. Thousands of people are affected in San Francisco, which has the highest rate of liver cancer in the country.

"We are proud that San Francisco has played such a leading role in the effort to eradicate viral hepatitis," Lee said. "We are wrestling with this in a very good way."

That effort involves creating public and healthcare-provider awareness about the important of testing and vaccinating at-risk populations for the virus, according to the San Francisco Hep B Free campaign, a citywide effort to make San Francisco the first hepatitis B-free city.

Promoting routine screenings and vaccinations as well as improving access to care for chronically infected individuals are the campaign's other goals.

"We will continue to strengthen the partnerships between public health officials, medical professionals and treatment advocates to educate and encourage widespread testing, prevention and treatment among our most vulnerable communities," Lee said.

Without treatment or monitoring, one in four people who are chronically infected with hepatitis B die from liver cancer or liver failure, according to the campaign, which targets Asian and Pacific Islander Americans, a group that is disproportionately affected by the disease.

One in 10 Asians are chronically infected with hepatitis B and, compared with the general population, are four times more likely to die from liver cancer.

Assemblywoman Fiona Ma, the honorary chairwoman of the campaign, is among the chronically infected and spoke this morning about the push to make San Francisco the first city to eradicate the virus.

San Francisco has led the nation in the effort to raise awareness about the virus, Lee said, noting that the campaign seeks "to create not only the best local model ... but to really start a national movement."

Earlier this year the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Assistant Secretary for Health Dr. Howard Koh launched a national action plan to address the epidemic that was based on San Francisco's efforts.

"We have too much death that could be and should be prevented," Koh said, adding that the way San Francisco has mobilized to raise awareness "has been a source of great inspiration for the rest of the country."

The hepatitis B virus can lead to cirrhosis of the liver, liver failure and liver cancer.

Although there is no cure for hepatitis B, treatment can significantly reduce the risk of liver damage.

"This is a major health crisis. This is an epidemic." HHS Region IX Director Herb Schultz said.

Koh is the keynote speaker for the fourth annual "B a Hero" benefit gala and award dinner, which is scheduled to take place today at San Francisco's InterContinental Hotel from 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
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SF Mayor Ed Lee Joins U.S. Assistant Secretary For Health Today
By Zennie Abraham – SFGate.com, November 4, 2011

San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee will join the U.S. Department of Health Services Assistant Secretary For Health and Human Services Dr. Howard Koh today for a press conference to talk about a comprehensive national plan to address the viral hepatitis epidemic this space has blogged about before.

Mayor Lee and Dr. Koh will also explain San Francisco’s leading role in the movement to treat and prevent viral hepatitis. Dr. Koh will also speak on the Affordable Care Act’s impact on the efforts to stop viral hepatitis.

Two local San Francisco Bay Area residents will speak on their experience living with the disease, and a blood draw will take place to encourage wide spread testing.

Viral Hepatitis Causes Liver Cancer

Did you know that viral hepatitis is the leading cause of liver cancer in America, effecting up to 5.3 million Americans. And one in 10 who are Asian are chronically infected by Hepatitis B and four times as likely to die from liver cancer, when compared with the general population.

San Francisco has the highest rates of liver cancer in the United States.

Assemblywoman Fiona Ma A Spokesperson

Assemblywoman Fiona Ma, who is living with Hepatitis B, was tapped to be the chair of the effort called ‘SF Hep B Free.’ SF Hep B Free has implemented widespread testing and public awareness of the problem.

Other Notes

The event, slated for 10 AM, will also host Region IX Director Of Health and Human Services, Herb Schultz. Mr. Schultz will also talk about the regional and national implementation of the plan.

Regular readers will recall that this blogger talked with Steve Goodwin about his battle with Hepatitis C.
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San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee Joins US Health and Human Services in Supporting Efforts to Eradicate Viral Hepatitis
San Francisco Sentinel, November 4, 2011

Mayor Edwin M. Lee today joined the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Assistant Secretary for Health Dr. Howard Koh to support the national plan from the Obama Administration to fight the viral hepatitis epidemic.

Viral hepatitis, which affects between 3.5 and 5.3 million Americans, is the leading cause of liver cancer. One in 10 Asians are chronically infected with hepatitis B and are four times more likely to die from liver cancer compared with the general population. Accordingly, San Francisco has the highest rate of liver cancer in the country.

“We are proud that San Francisco has played such a leading role in the effort to eradicate viral hepatitis,” said Mayor Lee. “We will continue to strengthen the partnerships between public health officials, medical professionals and treatment advocates to educate and encourage widespread testing, prevention and treatment among our most vulnerable communities.”

Dr. Koh and HHS launched a national action plan earlier this year to address the viral hepatitis epidemic. The plan outlines several systematic approaches to combating viral hepatitis, including increasing awareness among providers, patients and at-risk communities, as well as strengthening surveillance and vaccination efforts. The national plan is based upon San Francisco’s efforts to fight the disease.

Many of these initiatives are already in place through work by local groups including “SF Hep B Free,” an organization that has implemented widespread testing and public awareness among vulnerable populations, especially the Asian American community, here in San Francisco.

Assemblywoman Fiona Ma, who is chronically infected with hepatitis B and is the honorary chairwoman of “SF Hep B Free,” emphasized the importance of establishing strong partnerships between public health officials, medical professionals and treatment advocates to educate the public and physicians on the viral hepatitis epidemic.

Herb K. Schultz, Region IX Director for HHS, called for regional and national implementation of the plan by bringing together partners from all sectors and communities. Ted Fang, San Francisco’s leading advocate to eliminate Hep B, served as the master of ceremonies for the event, which was held in a packed chambers at San Francisco’s Health Department hearing room.
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Mayoral candidates talk hep B and C
By Liz Highleyman – Bay Area Reporter, November 3, 2011

HIV/AIDS has long been a key concern as the LGBT community considers candidates for local office, but this year hepatitis B and C are also on the radar. Men who have sex with men are one of the groups at increased risk for hepatitis B, and recent years have seen growing outbreaks of sexually transmitted acute hepatitis C among HIV-positive gay and bisexual men.

San Francisco Hep B Free and the San Francisco Hepatitis C Task Force asked mayoral candidates how they would combat the city's hepatitis B and C epidemics; most of the major candidates provided responses.

Asians hit hard by hep B

Jeff Adachi committed to seek resources locally, statewide, and nationally for hepatitis treatment, prevention, education, testing, and research.

"I understand the tremendous impact hepatitis has on our communities and this awareness requires a commitment to action by City Hall," he said in his response. "As a person of Asian descent, I feel personally responsible to increase awareness."

Asian and Pacific Islander communities are particularly hard hit by hepatitis B, which is endemic in those parts of the world. An estimated one in 10 Asians are living with hepatitis B, which is the leading cause of primary liver cancer worldwide.

In addition, injection drug users have high rates of hepatitis B and C, which are easily transmitted through shared drug injection equipment. Adachi stressed that his work as San Francisco's public defender has demonstrated his belief that substance use must be decriminalized.

Board of Supervisors President David Chiu said that, if elected, hepatitis will be "a top public health priority." Chiu worked with Asian community leaders on the Hep B Free campaign, and he said he agrees with many of the December 2010 recommendations of the Hepatitis C Task Force.

"To provide critical hepatitis services we must maintain funding for Medi-Cal and Healthy San Francisco," Chiu emphasized. "As mayor I will be the city's chief advocate in Sacramento to preserve the programs San Franciscans count on."

Noting that hepatitis B is known as the "silent killer" because many people do not experience symptoms or realize they are infected until late stages of disease, Assessor-Recorder Phil Ting said, "We should expand and encourage more testing for HBV and HCV. ... We need to ensure that individuals receive adequate treatment and understand the risk they pose to society if they are infected."

Ting added that the city must improve its methods for gathering data in order to target prevention and treatment to the neediest neighborhoods. "My campaign to Reset San Francisco focuses on the necessity for data-driven decision-making, so our city government can be more effective and more responsive," he said.

Other candidates also spoke of public health as a major issue.

"As mayor, there will be no higher priority for me than public health, including addressing our ongoing crisis with hepatitis B and C," said City Attorney Dennis Herrera. "For the last decade, I've fought to expand access to quality, affordable health care in San Francisco, helping to draft Healthy San Francisco, and successfully defending it all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court."

Joanna Rees, an adjunct professor at Santa Clara University, vowed to appoint a citywide hepatitis elimination coordinator. She also proposed a prevention campaign to include clean needle distribution and enforcement of safety measures at tattoo parlors and nail salons.

Interim Mayor Ed Lee praised Hep B Free's work to increase awareness and reduce hepatitis B infections, especially in Asian/Pacific Islander communities. "Media and grassroots messaging has raised awareness of hepatitis B and promoted testing of API adults, vaccinating the estimated 40 percent who are not infected or immune, and treating the 10 percent who are infected," he said.

Turning to hepatitis C, Lee supports the task force recommendations and said he would ask DPH to explore "new ways to treat hepatitis C," including the antiviral drug telaprevir (Incivek), which was approved along with a similar drug, boceprevir (Victrelis), in May.

Drawing on HIV leadership

Former District 8 Supervisor Bevan Dufty and former District 2 Supervisor Michela Alioto-Pier both recommended that the city use its widely recognized leadership in HIV/AIDS as a model for addressing hepatitis B and C.

"Since the early days of the HIV/AIDS crisis, San Francisco has been a world leader in prevention and treatment campaigns for communicable diseases," Alioto-Pier said. "Our city's efforts have saved the lives of countless San Franciscans, and our example has helped other communities save lives around the world. We need to apply our experience and our resources to dealing with hepatitis."

Dufty, who represented the Castro, said that San Francisco, as a leader in community response to HIV/AIDS, "must use that experience to mobilize public and community partnerships to end hepatitis B and C."

Dufty committed to ensure that DPH has adequate resources to tackle viral hepatitis. "Everyone in Healthy SF should be offered a hepatitis B vaccination and hepatitis C testing and treatment," he said. "We can do better at building awareness about hepatitis C, including the possibility of sexual transmission."

Harm reduction for drug users

Dufty also stressed that he has been a "strong advocate" for safe syringe access and substance abuse treatment, and said he supports "a community-led approach" to establishing safe injection sites.

State Senator Leland Yee emphasized his two-year effort to pass SB 41, which allows physicians and pharmacists to provide sterile syringes to adults without a prescription. "We passed the single most important hepatitis and HIV prevention policy in the last 20 years," he said, adding that he is also interested in exploring safe injection sites.

District 11 Supervisor John Avalos said San Francisco should implement hepatitis B vaccine requirements, following in the footsteps of states across the country that mandate vaccination for entry into daycare, elementary, and middle schools. He added that the city needs a hepatitis C prevention program "that is well funded and doesn't need to go looking for funding every year."

Avalos, too, supports creation of safe injection sites. "These facilities, while controversial, have been proven to lower infection rates of HIV and hepatitis, provide for proper disposal of needles, eliminate the need for emergency services and enforcement costs to the city, help to temper addiction, and save lives," he said.

SF Hep B Free and the SF Hepatitis C Task Force will hold a press conference Friday, November 4, to discuss the city's response to hepatitis, coinciding with the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases conference taking place at Moscone Center this weekend.

Thursday, November 3, 2011

U.S. Assistant Secretary for Health Speaks On Important Bay Area Efforts to Eradicate Viral Hepatitis

Assemblywoman Fiona Ma Encourages Testing, Education


When:
10 a.m. Friday, Nov. 4

Where:
San Francisco Department of Public Health
Hearing Commission Room, Room 300
101 Grove St., (corner of Polk Street) San Francisco

What:
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Assistant Secretary for Health, Dr. Howard Koh, will discuss a comprehensive national plan to fight the viral hepatitis epidemic. A blood draw will take place to encourage widespread testing. Two local residents infected by viral hepatitis will speak on their experiences living with the disease, in addition to a primary care physician speaking on the importance of getting tested.

Why:
Dr. Koh and HHS are working to implement a national action plan to address viral hepatitis. In addition to discussing the Affordable Care Act's effect on the national plan, Dr. Koh will highlight the important role that San Francisco organizations have played in the movement to treat, prevent, and bring awareness to the viral hepatitis epidemic.

Viral hepatitis, which affects between 3.5 and 5.3 million Americans, is the leading cause of liver cancer. One in 10 Asians are chronically infected with hepatitis B and are four times more likely to die from liver cancer compared with the general population. Accordingly, San Francisco has the highest rate of liver cancer in the country.

Assemblywoman Fiona Ma, who is chronically infected with hepatitis B, will introduce Dr. Koh. Assemblywoman Ma serves as the honorary chairwoman for SF Hep B Free, which has implemented widespread testing and public awareness in San Francisco through establishing strong partnerships between public health officials, medical professionals and treatment activists.

Herb K. Schultz, Region IX Director for HHS, will also speak on regional and national implementation of the plan by bringing together partners from all sectors and communities.

Who:
Dr. Howard Koh, Assistant Secretary for Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Fiona Ma, California Assembly Speaker Pro Tempore
Herb K. Schultz, Region IX Director, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
SF Hep B Free
San Francisco Hepatitis C Task Force

RSVP:
All media should RSVP to Sam Singer and Allison Berry of Singer Associates at 415-227-9700 or Singer@singersf.com or Allison@singersf.com
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