April 18, 2012

First Ever National Hispanic Hepatitis Awareness Day 2012 Official Website Launch

NHHAD

PRESS RELEASE

April 18, 2012, 12:29 p.m. EDT

NEW YORK, Apr 18, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- National Hispanic Hepatitis Awareness Day has officially launched the unveiling of its website, www.hispanichepatitisday.org . The website holds a wealth of resources ranging from information on Hispanics/Latinos and viral hepatitis to tools on how to engage Hispanic/Latino communities on a range of events, including hepatitis C testing. The Hispanic Hepatitis Day campaign works annually at building capacity for non-profit organizations, service providers and health departments in order to reach Hispanic/Latino communities, promote screening and testing, provide viral hepatitis education, and connect people to care.

The Hispanic Hepatitis Day will take place annually on May 15, during National Hepatitis Awareness Month. This year's theme -- Let's Talk about Hepatitis! -- speaks to the critical role of raising awareness around viral hepatitis, especially screening and testing, due to the late testing realities faced by Hispanic/Latino communities. Data shows that Hispanics/Latinos progress to cirrhosis faster and have higher cirrhosis mortality rates than non-Hispanic Blacks and Whites. Research also shows that Latinos have a 40% increased chance of being infected with hepatitis C as compared to the general population. You can obtain more information about hepatitis testing or find a testing location near you by calling the CDC hotline at 1-800-232-4636 or by visiting www.hispanichepatitisday.org .

For more information on National Hispanic Hepatitis Awareness Day, please visit www.hispanichepatitisday.org  or contact Bethsy Morales-Reid, Director at bmorales@hispanichepatitisday.org  or 212-675-3288.

ABOUT THE LATINO COMMISSION ON AIDS

The Latino Commission on AIDS (Commission) is a nonprofit membership organization founded in 1990 dedicated to addressing the health challenges and addressing the impact of HIV/AIDS. The Commission is the leading national Latino AIDS organization coordinating National Hispanic Hepatitis Awareness Day, National Latino AIDS Awareness Day and other prevention, research, capacity building and advocacy programs across the United States and its territories.

SOURCE: The Latino Commission on AIDS

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