World Hepatitis Awareness Day is July 28th

VALLEY — Viral hepatitis is one of the leading causes of death globally, accounting for 1.34 million deaths per year – that’s more than HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis or malaria. Together, the hepatitis B and hepatitis C viruses cause two in every three liver cancer deaths across the world. (Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation)

Out of the 325 million people living with viral hepatitis globally, upward of 290 million (that’s 9 in 10!) are living with the hepatitis B or hepatitis C and don’t know it. Unless detected and treated, it can lead to disease, cirrhosis or liver cancer.

If you are between 45 and 60, you are more likely to be unknowingly living with hepatitis C than any other age group.

Hepatitis C is curable and hepatitis B is treatable but without finding the missing millions needless deaths will continue.

Get tested. See your healthcare provider.For more information, call Charlotte Ledonne, SLV Area Health Education Center at 589-4977.