May 2023: Hepatitis Awareness Month

WHEREAS, viral hepatitis is a leading cause of liver cancer and the most common reason for liver transplants in the United States; and,

WHEREAS, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates 5.7 million Americans are living with chronic hepatitis; and,

WHEREAS, the hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) can lead to chronic infections that produce no symptoms for decades while increasing the risk for liver disease and liver cancer; and,

WHEREAS, detecting HBV and HCV requires a simple blood test; without one, a person may never know if they have HBV or an HCV infection; and,

WHEREAS, in April 2020, the CDC published universal testing recommendations, including one-time HCV testing among all adults 18 years and older and among pregnant people during every pregnancy; periodic HCV testing among persons with continued risk factors; HCV testing for anyone with recognized exposures and conditions; and for anyone who requests it, regardless of disclosure of risk; and,

WHEREAS, in March 2023, the CDC published universal adult hepatitis B testing recommendations, including one-time HBV testing among all adults 18 years and older using a triple panel test; testing pregnant persons for HBV surface antigen during each pregnancy, regardless of vaccination status and history of testing; period risk-based HBV testing for justice-involved populations, persons with a history of sexually transmitted infections or multiple sex partners, and people living with HCV; and for anyone who requests a test regardless of risk disclosure; and, 

WHEREAS, HBV and/or HCV can be spread at birth if the baby is delivered by a person positive for HBV and/or HCV; and, 

WHEREAS, there is a vaccine that can prevent the spready of HBV, and effective HCV treatments cure more than 95% of persons living with HCV with once-daily oral therapy in as little as 8 – 12 weeks; and, 

WHEREAS, infants birthed by someone positive for HCV should be tested for HCV; infants ages 2 – 18 months should be tested for HCV RNA or HCV antibody testing, and HCV treatment is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in children as early as 3 years old; and, 

WHEREAS, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) launched the We Treat Hep C initiative in 2021 to increase access to hepatitis C treatment among Michigan Medicaid and Healthy Michigan Plan beneficiaries by removing prior authorization criteria and the prescriber and sobriety requirement. Hepatitis C treatment providers can be found at Michigan.gov/WeTreatHepC; and, 

WHEREAS, MDHHS partnered with the Henry Ford Health System and Wayne State University to provide free HCV clinical consultation to help providers feel comfortable and confident in treating and managing patients with HCV; and, 

WHEREAS, injection drug use is a primary method of contracting HCV through the sharing of equipment used to prepare or inject drugs; Syringe Services Programs (SSPs) are community-based programs that prevent the spread of hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV by providing sterile supplies, access to testing and care, vaccines for hepatitis A and B, referral to substance use treatment, and overdose prevention. To find a SSP near you, visit the SSP Map and Directory at Michigan.gov/SSP; and, 

WHEREAS, this month, together with MDHHS, we join the fight to eliminate viral hepatitis by highlighting the importance of vaccines, testing, linkage to care, and treatment to prevent, detect, and eliminate viral hepatitis infections in Michigan;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Gretchen Whitmer, governor of Michigan, do hereby proclaim May 2023 as Hepatitis Awareness Month and May 19 as Hepatitis Testing Day in Michigan.