1Designating May 2014 as "Hepatitis Awareness Month" and May 19,
22014, as "Hepatitis Testing Day" in Pennsylvania.

3WHEREAS, Hepatitis is the inflammation of the liver caused by
4several viruses which could lead to liver cancer or other
5chronic liver diseases associated with hepatitis; and

6WHEREAS, Approximately 15,000 Americans die from liver cancer
7or other chronic liver diseases every year; and

8WHEREAS, New cases of liver cancer are highest among
9Americans of Asian or Pacific-Island descent and are increasing
10in African Americans, baby boomers and men; and

11WHEREAS, Chronic hepatitis B and hepatitis C infections are a
12silent epidemic affecting more than 5 million Americans; and

13WHEREAS, More than 10,000 Pennsylvanians in 2013 and more

1than 130,000 Pennsylvanians over the last decade have been
2diagnosed with hepatitis; and

3WHEREAS, Although certain strands of hepatitis are
4preventable by a recommended vaccination, it is estimated that
5up to 75% of individuals infected with hepatitis are unaware of
6their condition; and

7WHEREAS, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
8has designated May as National Hepatitis Awareness Month in
9hopes of highlighting the serious damage hepatitis can cause to
10the liver of the many Americans unaware of their infection; and

11WHEREAS, The CDC has designated May 19, 2014, as National
12Hepatitis Testing Day hoping to increase screening and testing
13rates and reduce the burden of illness and death caused by
14hepatitis; therefore be it

15RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives designate May
162014 as "Hepatitis Awareness Month" and May 19, 2014, as
17"Hepatitis Testing Day" in Pennsylvania and encourage health
18care providers and Pennsylvanians to be tested for chronic viral
19hepatitis.