[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 147 (Wednesday, July 31, 2013)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 46247-46248]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-18541]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 147 / Wednesday, July 31, 2013 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 46247]]


                Proclamation 9001 of July 25, 2013

                
World Hepatitis Day, 2013

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                Each year, we mark World Hepatitis Day to bring 
                attention to a disease that afflicts one in twelve 
                people worldwide. Viral hepatitis is a major cause of 
                liver cancer and cirrhosis in the United States, 
                leading to approximately 18,000 American deaths every 
                year. Outcomes can significantly improve with 
                treatment, but because viral hepatitis can be present 
                without symptoms for decades, most infected Americans 
                do not know they have it. Today, we raise awareness 
                about preventing and treating viral hepatitis, and we 
                renew our commitment to combat this disease in all its 
                forms.

                Public awareness is key to halting the spread of viral 
                hepatitis. All types of this disease pose serious 
                health threats, and both hepatitis B and C can become 
                chronic infections that lead to liver cancer and liver 
                disease. Vaccines for hepatitis A and B are crucial to 
                preventing new cases, and they are recommended for all 
                children, as well as adults at an elevated risk of 
                infection. There is no vaccine against hepatitis C, but 
                through early detection and treatment, it is possible 
                to reduce the risk of transmission, avert the worst 
                complications, and in many cases even cure the 
                infection.

                Anyone can contract hepatitis, but in the United States 
                it disproportionately affects the African American, 
                Hispanic, and Asian American and Pacific Islander 
                communities, and people born between 1945 and 1965. 
                Injection drug users of all ages are also at increased 
                risk. My Administration is working to raise awareness 
                among communities hardest hit by viral hepatitis, 
                organizing campaigns to prevent new infections, and 
                promoting testing and treatment.

                My Administration also continues to work with our 
                partners across the Federal Government, in States, 
                communities, and the public and nonprofit sectors to 
                implement programs like the Healthy People 2020 
                initiative and the Action Plan for the Prevention, 
                Care, and Treatment of Viral Hepatitis. This ambitious 
                plan aims to reduce the number of new hepatitis C cases 
                by 25 percent, eliminate mother-to-child transmission 
                of hepatitis B, and significantly increase the 
                proportion of people who know of their hepatitis B and 
                C infections. In addition, the Affordable Care Act 
                requires health insurance plans to cover, without co-
                pays, hepatitis A and B vaccines as recommended for 
                children and adults at elevated risk for infection, as 
                well as hepatitis B screenings for pregnant women at 
                their first prenatal visit. After June 2014, new health 
                plans must cover screening, without co-pays, for 
                hepatitis C virus infection in persons at high risk for 
                infection. Plans must also cover one-time screening for 
                hepatitis C infection for adults born between 1945 and 
                1965.

                Viral hepatitis is a silent epidemic, and we can only 
                defeat it if we break that silence. Now is the time to 
                learn the risk factors for hepatitis, talk to family, 
                friends, and neighbors who may be at risk, and to speak 
                with healthcare providers about strategies for staying 
                healthy. On World Hepatitis Day, let each of us lend 
                our support to those living with hepatitis and do our 
                part to bring this epidemic to an end.

[[Page 46248]]

                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, 2013, 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-fifth day of July, in the year of our Lord two 
                thousand thirteen, and of the Independence of the 
                United States of America the two hundred and thirty-
                eighth.
                
                
                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 2013-18541
Filed 7-30-13; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3295-F3