[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 97 (Friday, May 21, 2021)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 27505-27506]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-10922]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 97 / Friday, May 21, 2021 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

[[Page 27505]]

                Proclamation 10214 of May 18, 2021

                
National Hepatitis Testing Day, 2021

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                Our efforts to combat the COVID-19 pandemic over the 
                past year have reinforced many public health lessons, 
                including the importance of communication, community 
                engagement, and a comprehensive testing strategy to 
                reduce the spread of infection. These same lessons hold 
                true for another epidemic affecting our Nation: the 
                silent epidemic of viral hepatitis. Viral hepatitis is 
                a serious, preventable public health threat that puts 
                people who are infected at increased risk for serious 
                disease and death. When left undiagnosed and untreated, 
                hepatitis B and hepatitis C can cause liver cirrhosis, 
                liver cancer, and even early death. Hepatitis D, which 
                occurs only among individuals infected with hepatitis 
                B, can also cause serious liver disease. On this 
                National Hepatitis Testing Day, I call on all Americans 
                who are at risk for hepatitis to get tested, and for 
                all health care providers to educate their patients 
                about viral hepatitis.

                Our Nation has set a goal to eliminate viral hepatitis 
                by 2030. Thanks to Federal investment in medical 
                research, we have the technology and tools to provide 
                safe and effective hepatitis vaccines and therapeutics 
                that can reduce mortality and even lead to a cure. 
                Despite this progress, an estimated 2.4 million 
                Americans are living with hepatitis C, and more than 
                860,000 are living with hepatitis B--many of whom 
                unknowingly suffer its effects. Approximately 200,000 
                Americans are infected with hepatitis D every year. 
                Infection with hepatitis D in an individual already 
                infected with hepatitis B--known as superinfection--
                leads to a more rapid progression towards liver cancer. 
                We must increase prevention, testing, and awareness to 
                provide people the life-saving treatment they need. 
                Because of the Affordable Care Act, most health 
                insurance plans must cover hepatitis B and hepatitis C 
                testing with no cost-sharing.

                The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 
                recommends screening and testing for hepatitis B, 
                hepatitis C, and hepatitis D based on risk, health 
                status, and pregnancy. It is important we implement 
                these recommendations to ensure proper treatment and 
                help stop the spread of hepatitis. For more information 
                on the recommendations, visit cdc.gov/hepatitis.

                My Administration is committed to addressing the health 
                disparities and health inequities, which, as with so 
                many health metrics, are also seen with viral 
                hepatitis. Viral hepatitis disproportionately impacts 
                Black and brown Americans, Indigenous persons, Asian 
                Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders. The 
                interplay of factors such as poverty, inadequate 
                housing and transportation, food insecurity, access to 
                care, access to addiction treatment and mental health 
                care, medical mistrust, language and cultural barriers, 
                stigma, and discrimination must be addressed if we are 
                to eliminate these health disparities and advance 
                health equity. The recently released Viral Hepatitis 
                National Strategic Plan: A Roadmap to Elimination is 
                focused on making sure more people living with viral 
                hepatitis are tested and aware of their status and 
                providing a roadmap for quality care and treatment. To 
                read more about the plan, visit hhs.gov/hepatitis.

                The viral hepatitis epidemic is also linked with other 
                public health threats, including HIV, sexually 
                transmitted infections, and opioid use. Our response

[[Page 27506]]

                to the public health challenges of viral hepatitis, 
                HIV, sexually transmitted infections, and substance use 
                disorders will require a focus on the people and places 
                where these risk factors intersect, and doing more to 
                test people for viral hepatitis and other infections. 
                We also need to scale-up vaccinations, testing, and 
                care in settings where people at risk receive other 
                services. Implementing point-of-care testing in 
                outreach settings, utilizing clinical decision support 
                tools, and increasing provider awareness and training 
                for implementing testing recommendations will help 
                improve diagnoses and awareness. The ability to reduce 
                viral hepatitis infections will depend on integrated 
                strategies and a comprehensive approach to address our 
                ongoing challenges.

                Viral hepatitis exacts a significant toll on our 
                Nation's health, and the stigma and discrimination 
                associated with the disease further impair the quality 
                of life among those affected. Today, we reaffirm our 
                commitment to ensuring everyone knows their viral 
                hepatitis status, has access to high quality care and 
                treatment, and lives free from stigma and 
                discrimination.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., 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 May 19, 2021, 
                as National Hepatitis Testing Day. I encourage all 
                Americans to join in activities that will increase 
                awareness about viral hepatitis and increase viral 
                hepatitis testing.

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                eighteenth day of May, in the year of our Lord two 
                thousand twenty-one, and of the Independence of the 
                United States of America the two hundred and forty-
                fifth.
                
                
                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 2021-10922
Filed 5-20-21; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3295-F1-P