May is National Hepatitis Month

May is National Hepatitis Month

Earlier this year the Institute of Medicine (IOM) released a report on Viral Hepatitis in the United States and called for efforts to increase knowledge and awareness of this major public health problem. During the month of May, CDC and our public health partners are celebrating the 15th anniversary of National Hepatitis Awareness Month and, on May 19th, World Hepatitis Day.
These observances are intended to increase awareness about the large but often under-recognized burden of disease and premature death associated with viral hepatitis. An estimated 4.5 million Americans have chronic Hepatitis B or Hepatitis C, which together account for the major cause of chronic liver disease and liver cancer.