[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 62 (Thursday, May 6, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E778]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RESOLUTION EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF THE HOUSE THAT THERE IS A NEED FOR 
          INCREASED EDUCATION AND AWARENESS ABOUT HEPATITIS C

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                             HON. TOM UDALL

                             of new mexico

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 6, 2004

  Mr. UDALL of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, May has been designated as 
Hepatitis Awareness month. In light of that, I rise today to highlight 
one type of Hepatitis that is an important health issue facing our 
country--the Hepatitis C virus. Hepatitis C is now the most common 
bloodborne infection in the United States infecting an estimated 2.7 
million Americans and more than 32,000 in my home State of New Mexico 
alone. Further exacerbating the situation is the fact that it is 
estimated that less than 5 percent of individuals with Hepatitis C are 
receiving treatment. These statistics alone underscore the critical 
need to increase education and awareness about this virus. Today I am 
introducing a resolution that calls for exactly that.
  Mr. Speaker, in addition to the figures I mentioned above, it is also 
worth noting that approximately 80 percent of those infected with 
Hepatitis C develop chronic liver disease with an increased risk for 
development of cirrhosis and liver cancer. In fact, in the United 
States Hepatitis C is estimated to be the cause of 40 percent to 60 
percent of cases of chronic liver disease and 8,000 to 10,000 deaths 
annually.
  One population in our society for whom Hepatitis C is a particular 
concern is our veterans. A study released in July 2003 measured the 
prevalence of Hepatitis C in a sample of veterans treated in a homeless 
veterans program in Massachusetts over a five-year period. The study 
found an overall prevalence rate of HCV infection of 44 percent, a rate 
more than 10 times higher than the national rate for men age 20-59. 
According to the study, adjusting for age, significant risk factors in 
the sample included a history of substance abuse and service during the 
Vietnam era. However, this is by no means the only at-risk population.
  Native Americans are another segment of our population who are 
experiencing the destructive effects of the Hepatitis C virus. Although 
Native Americans experience infection rates on average with other 
populations, because of other obstacles to accessing care and accessing 
quality care, they are experiencing much higher death rates and years 
of life lost as a result of chronic liver disease.
  Mr. Speaker, these are but two examples of specific demographic 
groups dealing with the realities of the Hepatitis C virus. But as 
indicated by the number of Americans infected with this virus it is 
clearly a much more widespread concern. As a nation we must begin 
confronting the rising human and economic costs of this virus. And we 
in Congress must begin confronting the policy choices we need to make 
to stem these costs. Passing this resolution will be an important step 
in this process.

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