HBF's role in shaping WHO Guidelines | |
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The World Health Organization (WHO) released new “Guidelines for the care and treatment for people with chronic hepatitis B infection” on March 29.
Hepatitis B Foundation President Chari A. Cohen, DrPH, MPH, said, “These new guidelines are an excellent step forward, opening up more expansive treatment opportunities for people living with hepatitis B and helping us work toward preventing liver damage, liver cancer and premature death.”
The Hepatitis B Foundation partnered with WHO in this endeavor, by ensuring the lived experiences, as well as patient preferences and values for treatment, and care and management, informed the guidelines. Foundation staff coordinated with partners around the world to collect and analyze community and provider data. A summary of the key findings of the patient values and preferences can be found in a recently published journal article here.
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Join us for a webinar:
You can learn more during a free a webinar on April 17 at 10 a.m. ET. Details are here.
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The WHO guidelines are here.
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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, honoring World Hepatitis Day, 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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April is Alcohol Awareness Month. Alcohol can significantly damage your liver. People living with hepatitis B are especially at risk of liver damage and should limit their alcohol consumption.
Keep in mind everything you eat, drink, breathe, or absorb through the skin is eventually filtered by the liver. By protecting your liver, you're protecting your health. Learn more healthy liver tips on our website.
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#BtheVoice Featured Storyteller: Theobald | |
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You can find
Theobald’s story here.
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Theobald has seen the devastation that can come from untreated hepatitis B. That’s why he is working to get people in his community in Ghana tested for hep B. He urges people to take good care of their liver, and in return, your liver will take good care of you. | Are you interested in telling your story of how hepatitis B has affected your life? We want the hear from you. Learn more here. | |
To register for the April 25 webinar, click here. | |
New Blog Post: Celebrating World Liver Day | | |
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In honor of World Liver Day on April 19th, we will discuss all things related to the liver and hear from field experts, clinicians and people with lived experience. Check it out now and learn more about the incredible organ that is so vital to our survival. Read the blog here. | Join our community of informed readers who are committed to staying in the know about hepatitis B! Subscribe to our Blog. | |
B Heppy Podcast: CAB part 1, meet Antony and Kenneth | | |
Kenneth Kabagambe (L), Antony Atuhaire (R) | |
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In this episode, Bright and Anousha chat with two members, Kenneth Kabagambe and Antony Atuhaire, who serve on the Community Advisory Board (CAB) as patient advocates with lived experiences. They share their stories with hepatitis B and how it empowered them to become a voice for people with lived experience everywhere.
Listen to the podcast here.
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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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Hepatitis D testing now offered by second major U.S. lab | |
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Click here to access the antibody test.
For any questions or more information, please contact beatrice.zovich@hepb.org.
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We have encouraging news regarding hepatitis delta testing for individuals who test positive for hepatitis B.
The test for hepatitis delta antibody (anti-HDV), which can indicate if someone has ever been exposed to the hepatitis delta virus in the past, is now available at LabCorp! Previously, these tests were only available at Quest Diagnostics, thus excluding about half of the commercial laboratory market in the U.S.
Unfortunately, the hepatitis delta RNA test, which is used to confirm an active and current infection, isn't available at LabCorp yet, but it hopefully will be later this year.
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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. Everyone is welcome!
We've just updated the lessons below, 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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Are you working on hepatitis B in Africa? | |
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The Hepatitis B Foundation and SOLDA are collaborating to identify partners across Africa working on hepatitis B.
This Africa survey is meant to gain a better understanding of where there are gaps that need to be filled and how to best work to address these gaps.
More information and the survey itself are posted here and on the SOLDA website.
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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 | |
Survey of lived experiences and challenges in
hepatitis B management and treatment
Freeland C, Adjei C, Wallace J, Wang S, Hicks J, Adda D, James C & Cohen C
BMC Public Health
[Link to article]
2 April 2024, Volume 24, Article #944 (2024)
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For this study, survey responses from 560 people in 76 countries who are living with hepatitis B were analyzed. The authors wrote: "Overall findings demonstrated key gaps in care, management, and treatment access related to hepatitis B: identifying these gaps can be used to identify areas for improvement along the care continuum for viral hepatitis. The survey found a need for the comprehensive simplification of clinical management and health care services related to hepatitis B. A thematic analysis of the open-ended survey responses highlighted major overarching themes including the cost and access burdens associated with hepatitis B management and treatment, and challenges in finding knowledgeable providers. Efforts should continue to explore public health approaches to address barriers and facilitators to testing, care, and treatment for people with hepatitis B to improve awareness of hepatitis B and access, care, and treatment among patients and providers." | |
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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