May 2024: Hepatitis Awareness Month

WHEREAS, millions of people in the United States are living with viral hepatitis, but many people are unaware. People can live with viral hepatitis for decades without symptoms or feeling sick; and,

WHEREAS, the hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) can lead to long-term infections that can cause liver disease and liver cancer; and,

WHEREAS, HBV and HCV infection can be detected through a simple blood test. Without a blood test, a person may never know if they have HBV or an HCV infection; and,

WHEREAS, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published universal HCV testing recommendations in April 2020. The CDC recommends one-time HCV testing among adults 18 years and older and testing during every pregnancy. People with continued risk factors should receive periodic HCV testing. People with recognized exposures and conditions, and for anyone who requests HCV testing, regardless of disclosure of risk, should be tested for HCV; and,

WHEREAS, The CDC recommends one-time HBV testing among adults 18 years and older, and testing during pregnancy, regardless of vaccination status and testing history. Justice-involved populations, persons with a history of sexually transmitted infections or multiple sex partners, and people with HCV should receive periodic risk-based HBV testing. Anyone who requests HBV testing, regardless of disclosure of risk; should be tested for HBV; and,

WHEREAS, HBV and/or HCV can be spread from a person living with HBV and/or HCV infection to their child during both pregnancy and childbirth. There is a vaccine that can prevent the spread of HBV, and effective HCV oral therapies that can cure persons living with HCV, who are as young as 3 years of age; and,

WHEREAS, the CDC published HCV testing recommendations among infants and children perinatally exposed to HCV. Infants born to persons with either current (has detectable HCV RNA) or probable (reactive HCV antibody, HCV RNA results not available) HCV infection should be tested for HCV at 2-6 months with an HCV RNA test. Infants and children born to persons with current or probable HCV infection who have not previously been tested should be tested at 7-17 months with an HCV RNA test, and 18 months or older with an HCV antibody with reflex to HCV RNA test; and,

WHEREAS,the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) launched the We Treat Hep C initiative in April 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. Low to no-cost HCV oral therapies are available to Michigan Medicaid and Healthy Michigan beneficiaries. To find a Hepatitis C treatment provider, visit Michigan.gov/WeTreatHepC; and, 

WHEREAS,MDHHS partnered with the Henry Ford Health System and Wayne State University/Midwest AIDS Training and Education Center to provide free HCV clinical consultation to providers with HCV treatment and management questions. To access provider resources, visit Michigan.gov/WeTreatHepC; 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 2024 as Hepatitis Awareness Month and May 19 as Hepatitis Testing Day in Michigan.