May is Hepatitis Awareness Month in the U.S. | | |
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During Hepatitis Awareness Month in the U.S., people and organizations nationwide are paying extra attention to viral hepatitis A, B, C and D, and our foundation has planned a number of special activities.
First, we've posted new stories from five Taiwanese adults in our global #BtheVoice storytelling campaign. Please see below.
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Also, we're hosting a May 16 Congressional Briefing on “Preventing Liver Cancer & Hepatitis B in the U.S.: A Step Towards Viral Hepatitis Elimination” in Washington, D.C. It's being co-hosted by AAPCHO, the Deadliest Cancers Coalition and Congressional Hepatitis Caucus co-chairs Rep. Nydia Velázquez and Rep. Hank Johnson at 12 p.m. in the Rayburn Office Building. You can read more here. | |
And, we produced an excellent podcast about new universal hepatitis B screening and vaccination recommendations for adults in the U.S. Please read about it below. | |
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B Heppy Podcast: Updated CDC Guidelines on
Hepatitis B Screening and Vaccination
with Dr. Chari Cohen and Dr. Carolyn Wester
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Dr. Chari Cohen (left) & Dr. Carolyn Wester | |
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In this episode, Bright and Anousha talk with Dr. Chari Cohen, president of the Hepatitis B Foundation, and Dr. Carolyn Wester, director of the CDC's Division of Viral Hepatitis.
The two experts shared insights about the importance and impact of the universal hepatitis B screening and vaccination recommendations for adults in the U.S. The podcast is here.
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Check out additional resources by the CDC on hepatitis B vaccination and screening recommendations.
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The Hepatitis B Foundation is hosting the B Informed Patient Conference, a free event in collaboration with the Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center at Thomas Jefferson University, in Philadelphia on Saturday, July 27, from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
The conference is in conjunction with World Hepatitis Day, which is July 28, and will bring people with lived experience together to get information, ask questions and learn about all things hepatitis B.
There is no charge; breakfast and lunch will be served. There will be many opportunities for networking and meeting providers! Registration is required to secure your spot. You can use the website or email catherine.freeland@hepb.org or call 215-489-4900.
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Our team creates simple guide to new WHO Guidelines updates | |
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The World Health Organization (WHO) released important new hepatitis B treatment guidelines just a few weeks ago.
"These guidelines provide a substantial simplification and expansion of eligibility for treatment to overcome barriers in access to HBV testing and treatment," the WHO announcement said. However, the guidelines are fairly complex.
In response, the Hepatitis B Foundation has produced a "Simple Guide to Understanding the 2024 WHO Guideline Updates." The user-friendly document is being shared with medical and public health professionals globally. The free Guide is posted here.
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African providers: please note a new committee is forming | | |
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WHO AFRO has now launched an open call for the AFRO Regional Validation Committee on the Elimination of Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV, Syphilis and Hepatitis B. Please share as widely as possible within your networks.
Details are posted here.
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#BtheVoice Featured Storytellers from Taiwan | |
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In recognition of Hepatitis Awareness Month, we've released new stories from five Taiwanese adults as part of our global #BtheVoice storytelling campaign, which conveys powerful, personal accounts from people affected by hepatitis B, a disease that currently affects nearly 300 million people worldwide.
The new storytellers – Cash, CC, Jacky, Jamie and Mike – all talk about their having become infected with hepatitis B at birth. That’s all too common around the world, though it’s preventable when the mother knows if she has hepatitis B and treatment is available.
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Check out the new #BtheVoice storytellers from Taiwan:
| Are you interested in telling your story of how hepatitis B has affected your life? We want to hear from you. Learn more here. | |
New Blog Post: #justB Storyteller David's Advocacy Journey | |
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David, a #justB storyteller, talked about empathy and mental health at the World Hepatitis Summit (WHS) 2024 in Lisbon. He highlighted the urgency to eliminate viral hepatitis, stressing the need for empathy, cultural sensitivity and amplifying voices to combat stigma.
David shared his struggles with hepatitis B and mental health, emphasizing the importance of empathy in advocacy and self-management. He explained that there is an interconnectedness of mental health and hepatitis B management, while advocating for empathy in policies and actions to empower those feeling voiceless.
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Please read David's blog here. | |
Are you a runner? Join the Run4HepB Team! | | |
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Make miles matter this November by joining the Hepatitis B Foundation’s TCS New York Marathon Official Charity Partner Team.
We hope you'll make your miles matter and Run4HepB… apply today!
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All RUN 4 HEP B team members will receive:
- Guaranteed race entry for the 2024 TCS NYC Marathon,
- A personalized fundraising page to collect online donations,
- Fundraising support & guidance,
- Team branded gear & more!
Note: There's a $3,650 fundraising minimum to join our Run4HepB team.
Already have guaranteed entry? You can still join us! Runners who have already secured entry via lottery or qualifying time can receive all the benefits mentioned above by fundraising on behalf of Run4HepB.
Interested in running? Email us at run4hepb@hepb.org for more information.
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Blog - Implementing the Updated Hepatitis B Vaccination and Screening: Recommendations in Family Practice | |
With our foundation's assistance, the American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians (ACOFP) published a blog post by Aekata Shah, DO, in connection with National Adult Hepatitis B Vaccination Awareness Day and Hepatitis Awareness Month. The blog focuses on how family practice physicians can implement the updated hepatitis B screening and vaccination recommendations in family practice. | |
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The blog concludes that "implementing the updated screening and vaccination recommendations will require action by family practice physicians and other stakeholders in three key areas: education around the new recommendations, multi-stakeholder collaborations and technology innovations, and addressing lack of vaccine confidence," read more. | |
Hep D Connect website updated recently | | |
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The Hepatitis Delta Connect website has recently been updated!
It offers the latest blog posts, stories from those with lived experience of hepatitis delta, translated fact sheets, answers to your most pressing hep D questions and more! Check out the website today: www.hepdconnect.org.
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Also regarding hepatitis D, testing is now offered by a second major U.S. lab. Click here to access the antibody test.
For more info or answers to questions, please contact beatrice.zovich@hepb.org.
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Updates to our "B Informed Training Hub," open to everyone! | |
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The Hepatitis B Foundation and partners have launched a cost-free training website, the "B Informed Training Hub,” for people who want to learn more about hepatitis B and hepatitis D. This site provides training, education and resources on hepatitis B, hepatitis D and liver cancer for anyone who wants to learn more. All are welcome, especially people living with hepatitis B, their family and friends, and advocates!
We've just updated the lessons below, which are posted here.
- What Is Hepatitis B?
- Acute vs Chronic Hepatitis B
- Hepatitis Delta 101: All the Basics on Hepatitis Delta Virus (hep D or HDV)
- The Link Between Hepatitis B and Liver Cancer
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New phase 3 clinical trial opportunity for
people living with chronic hepatitis B
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Check out this new clinical trial opportunity! GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) is launching two phase 3 studies called B Well-1 and B-Well-2, which will test an experimental drug (bepirovirsen) as a potential treatment for hepatitis B.
Phase 2 clinical trial results showed that 24-weeks of treatment with bepirovirsen resulted in reduced HBsAg and hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA. To participate in the new phase 3 B Well studies, people need to be at least 18 years old (although the minimum age requirement may be higher in some countries); have a documented hepatitis B infection for the last six months; and have been on antiviral therapy with a nucleoside/nucleotide analogue (NA, such as tenofovir or entecavir) for at least 6 months.
In the phase 3 B Well study, participants will be randomized into different study groups. Some people will be given bepirovirsen to add to their current NA, to see if this results in greater reduction of HBsAg and HBV DNA – and to see if this reduction is sustained after treatment ends. Some people will receive a placebo. The study is being run in many countries around the world. To find out more information and see if you might be eligible, please visit www.bwellstudy.com.
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Physicians: Consider a listing in our Physician Directory | | |
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Are you a physician who manages hepatitis delta patients?
Please sign up for our Physician Directory today!
This online database allows people who are living with hepatitis B and hepatitis delta from around the world to locate a physician near them.
Finding a doctor for hepatitis delta can be difficult for many folks, so help make more people aware of your services and register! Sign up here.
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Journal article of the month | |
Implementing Adult Hepatitis B Immunization and Screening Using
Electronic Health Records: A Practical Guide
Kim HN, Moore K, Sanders D, Jackson M, Cohen C, Andrews R, Graham C
Vaccines
[Link to article]
May 14, 2024, Vol. 12, 536
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The authors' conclusion: "Implementation of HBV vaccination prompts in EHR (electronic health records) can be complicated, especially if a healthcare system is also implementing HBV screening prompts, due to questions around eligibility, HBV status, timing, vaccine product choice, and workflow. This guide is intended to help clinical champions, EHR review committees, laboratory medicine and information technology professionals develop medical support strategies that are easy to follow and target the appropriate patients."
"As health systems work towards the implementation of the new CDC recommendations, it will be important to document and share key learnings and strategies on the technical implementation of EHR schematics, the adapting of EHR tools for key subgroups and the barriers to implementation. Scalable strategies that leverage the EHR and facilitate HBV screening and vaccination will ultimately bring us closer to the goal of HBV elimination."
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Learn more about our research and education programs at www.hepb.org
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The Hepatitis B Foundation is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to finding a cure and improving the quality of life for those affected by hepatitis B worldwide. Our commitment includes funding focused research, promoting disease awareness, supporting immunization and treatment initiatives, and serving as the primary source of information for patients and their families, the medical and scientific community, and the general public. | | | |
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Hepatitis B Foundation I 3805 Old Easton Road | Doylestown, PA 18902
215-489-4900 I info@hepb.org
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