[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 149 (Thursday, August 2, 2012)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 45895-45896]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-18974]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 149 / Thursday, August 2, 2012 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

[[Page 45895]]

                Proclamation 8845 of July 27, 2012

                
World Hepatitis Day, 2012

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                Worldwide, one in twelve people is living with viral 
                hepatitis--a disease that threatens the health of 
                millions of Americans and people across the globe. As a 
                leading cause of liver cancer in the United States, it 
                remains a major public health challenge here at home. 
                Because the disease can persist for decades without 
                symptoms, many Americans who are chronically infected 
                are unaware of their infection status. On World 
                Hepatitis Day, we call attention to this silent 
                epidemic, and we rededicate ourselves to the fight 
                against viral hepatitis.

                Hepatitis prevention and control begins with awareness. 
                Though all types of viral hepatitis are associated with 
                serious health issues, hepatitis B and C can become 
                chronic infections that often lead to liver cirrhosis 
                or liver cancer. Tragically, complications resulting 
                from viral hepatitis claim thousands of American lives 
                every year--a burden borne disproportionately by 
                African American, Hispanic, and Asian American and 
                Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities, and by persons 
                born between 1945 and 1965. Despite the health issues 
                associated with the disease, a majority of Americans 
                living with chronic hepatitis do not know they are 
                infected.

                Hepatitis A and B can be prevented with vaccines, which 
                are recommended for all children--and for adults who 
                are at high risk of contracting viral hepatitis. While 
                no vaccine exists for hepatitis C, early detection and 
                treatment can curb transmission, limit the disease's 
                progression, and prevent life-threatening 
                complications, including liver cancer. I encourage all 
                Americans to talk with a physician about hepatitis 
                prevention to learn more about what they can do to stay 
                healthy.

                My Administration remains committed to addressing viral 
                hepatitis. As part of our Action Plan for the 
                Prevention, Care, and Treatment of Viral Hepatitis; the 
                Healthy People 2020 initiative; and other Federal 
                programs, agencies across the Federal Government are 
                partnering with States, communities, and stakeholders 
                throughout the private and nonprofit sectors to prevent 
                new cases of hepatitis and help Americans who have 
                already been affected. We are promoting hepatitis 
                outreach and education that shines a light on this 
                public health issue. With the White House Initiative on 
                Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, we are working 
                to prevent, treat, and control hepatitis B infections 
                in AAPI communities. And by bringing health insurance 
                within reach for more Americans, the Affordable Care 
                Act is helping improve patient access to comprehensive 
                viral hepatitis prevention and treatment services.

                On World Hepatitis Day, let us raise awareness of the 
                global health threat of viral hepatitis, renew our 
                support for those living with the disease, and recommit 
                to a future free of this tragic illness.

[[Page 45896]]

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the 
                United States of America, by virtue of the authority 
                vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the 
                United States, do hereby proclaim July 28, 2012, as 
                World Hepatitis Day. I encourage citizens, Government 
                agencies, nonprofit organizations, and communities 
                across the Nation to join in activities that will 
                increase awareness about hepatitis and what we can do 
                to prevent it.

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                twenty-seventh day of July, in the year of our Lord two 
                thousand twelve, and of the Independence of the United 
                States of America the two hundred and thirty-seventh.
                
                
                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 2012-18974
Filed 8-1-12; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3295-F2-P