WHEREAS, Viral hepatitis, which is a group of diseases known as Hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E, affects hundreds of millions of people worldwide, causing acute and chronic liver disease; and

WHEREAS, Viral hepatitis is responsible for 1.4 million deaths every year. Approximately 500 million people are currently living with viral hepatitis and some 2 billion people have been infected with the hepatitis B virus; and

WHEREAS, Most people with chronic hepatitis B and C are unaware of their infection and are at serious risk of developing chronic cirrhosis or liver cancer; and

WHEREAS, A federal program and federal funding is needed to address the public health crisis of viral hepatitis, especially hepatitis C; and

WHEREAS, Every year on July 28, the World Health Organization (WHO) and partners observe World Hepatitis Day to increase awareness and understanding of viral hepatitis and the diseases that viral hepatitis causes; and

WHEREAS, In April 2014, the WHO issued new recommendations on treatment of Hepatitis C and in May 2014, the World Health Assembly delegates from 194 governments adopted a resolution to improve prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of viral hepatitis; and

WHEREAS, World Hepatitis Day provides an opportunity for communities to focus on specific actions, such as strengthening prevention, screening, and control of viral hepatitis and its related diseases, and increasing hepatitis B vaccine coverage; now, therefore be it