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8 LONG TITLE
9 General Description:
10 This resolution recognizes May 2022 as Hepatitis Awareness Month, and July 28, 2022,
11 as National Hepatitis Day.
12 Highlighted Provisions:
13 This concurrent resolution:
14 ▸ recognizes the impact of the hepatitis A, B, and C virus on the people of Utah;
15 ▸ highlights the impact of screening, education, and treatment on reducing the effects
16 of hepatitis; and
17 ▸ joins the nationwide movement to raise awareness of hepatitis by recognizing in the
18 state of Utah:
19 • July 28 as National Hepatitis Day; and
20 • the month of May as Hepatitis Awareness Month.
21 Special Clauses:
22 None
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24 Be it resolved by the Legislature of the state of Utah, the Governor concurring therein:
25 WHEREAS, millions of Americans are impacted by the hepatitis A virus (HAV),
26 hepatitis B virus (HBV), and hepatitis C virus (HCV), which cause infection to the liver;
27 WHEREAS, an estimated 29,000 people in Utah live with HCV and an average of 272
28 HBV cases are reported to the state every year;
29 WHEREAS, more than half of people living with viral hepatitis are unaware they are
30 infected, thereby increasing their risk for severe health problems including cirrhosis, liver
31 cancer, liver transplant, and death;
32 WHEREAS, with immunizations, access to unused syringes and harm reduction
33 supplies, and early detection, hepatitis A, B, and C can be prevented, hepatitis B can be treated,
34 hepatitis C can be cured, and lives can be saved;
35 WHEREAS, the current epidemic of opioid and other substance use in the state is
36 increasing transmission of these viruses that are spread through blood, primarily through
37 injection but also through intranasal drug use;
38 WHEREAS, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that:
39 (1) all individuals over 18 years old and pregnant women be screened for hepatitis C
40 virus;
41 (2) at-risk populations and all people born in regions of the world where HBV is
42 common be screened for hepatitis B virus; and
43 (3) eligible individuals receive routine vaccination against hepatitis A and B; and
44 WHEREAS, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends:
45 (1) education of the public and professionals on hepatitis prevention, testing, and
46 treatment;
47 (2) treatment of all persons living with chronic hepatitis; and
48 (3) the development of systems to conduct viral hepatitis surveillance:
49 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah, the
50 Governor concurring therein, recognizes July 28 as National Hepatitis Day, and the month of
51 May as Hepatitis Awareness Month, joining the nationwide movement to raise awareness of
52 hepatitis infection.
53 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature and the Governor urge all citizens
54 to screen for and learn about hepatitis infection in consultation with their primary health care
55 professional and in accordance with CDC guidelines.