Recognizing May 2025 as Hepatitis Awareness Month in Philadelphia in support of the joint efforts of Hep B United Philadelphia and Hepatitis C Allies of Philadelphia aimed at promoting testing for all Philadelphians and raising the profile of viral hepatitis and its connection to liver cancer as urgent health priorities.

WHEREAS, Hepatitis B and C viruses are serious public health concerns; an estimated seven million Americans and at least 48,000 Philadelphians are living with these viruses, which are leading causes of liver cancer and the most common reason for liver transplants; most people living with hepatitis B and C are not aware of their infection. Hepatitis B is the world’s most serious liver infection, causing over 80% of primary liver cancer cases in the world, disproportionately impacting people of Asian, Pacific Islander, and African descent; killing 1 in 4 chronically infected persons prematurely from cirrhosis, liver cancer or liver failure; and

WHEREAS, Hepatitis B is completely preventable with a safe and effective vaccine but less than 40% of high-risk individuals are vaccinated against hepatitis B. Hepatitis C is the most common blood borne infection in the U.S. and since a majority of people living with the virus do not even know they are infected, hepatitis C despite having a cure now kills more people than HIV/AIDS; and

WHEREAS, In the U.S., liver cancer is the only cancer that continues to rise in new cases and deaths each year, for both men and women, primarily due to infections with hepatitis B and hepatitis C. 34,000 people each year are diagnosed with liver cancer; the 5-year survival rate for liver cancer is only 20%; 27,000 people each year die from liver cancer in the U.S.; and

WHEREAS, Hepatitis B and C testing followed by treatment is associated with a 50%-80% reduction in the risk of liver cancer. At least 25,000 Philadelphians are living with hepatitis B, and key populations need to learn their status so their infection can be monitored and controlled with medication, thereby halting progression to liver cancer, liver failure, and death; and

WHEREAS, Philadelphia’s Asian and non-Hispanic Black communities are disproportionately affected by hepatitis B, with reported infection rates in 2023 anywhere from ten and two times higher than that of non-Hispanic White residents. Fortunately, they are supported by Hep B United Philadelphia, marking its 13th year as the largest local community-based coalition working to eliminate health disparities faced by Philadelphians; and

WHEREAS, A collaboration between Hep B United Philadelphia and Hepatitis C Allies of Philadelphia has led to the recognition of Philadelphia as a national leader in the fight against viral hepatitis; the mobilization of local stakeholders to raise the public profile of viral hepatitis as an urgent health priority; the establishment of strong private-public partnerships; the identification of gaps in local hepatitis B and C services, and development of innovative projects to improve access to hepatitis prevention, testing, and treatment; and

WHEREAS, Efforts to fight viral hepatitis by Hep B United Philadelphia and Hepatitis C Allies of Philadelphia are supported by the people of Philadelphia, including multitudes of community members, healthcare institutions, schools of medicine and public health, students, community and cultural organizations, local businesses, academics, and the Philadelphia Medical Society; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, THAT THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, Hereby recognizes May 2025 as Hepatitis Awareness Month in Philadelphia in support of the joint efforts of Hep B United Philadelphia and Hepatitis C Allies of Philadelphia aimed at promoting testing for all Philadelphians and raising the profile of viral hepatitis and its connection to liver cancer as urgent health priorities.

FINALLY RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of the Resolution be presented to the Hepatitis B Foundation as the lead organization of Hep B United Philadelphia, and to the Hepatitis C Allies of Philadelphia, further evidencing the sincere support and admiration of this legislative body.

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