Liver cancer and liver disease related to viral hepatitis are among the leading causes of death in California and disproportionately affect Asian and Pacific Islander populations, African Americans, Latinos, LGBT populations, and the poor. Chronic infections from hepatitis B and C affect nearly 1 million Californians. They are the leading causes of liver transplantation in our state. California’s hospitalization costs for liver diseases and cancers related to viral hepatitis totaled over $2 billion in 2007. These infections are preventable and treatments are available; however, many persons at-risk or affected by these conditions are neither tested nor treated. This forum will provide:

An overview of the health and economic burdens associated with hepatitis in California
Key recommendations for hepatitis prevention and treatment from a 2010 Institute of Medicine report, as well as the major elements of California’s Adult Viral Hepatitis Prevention Strategic Plan (from the California Department of Public Health)
Highlights from successful community programs serving individuals with hepatitis

Panelists

Assemblymember Fiona Ma, MS, MBA, Speaker pro Tempore
Assemblymember Bill Monning, JD, Chair, Health Committee
Spencer Baker, Education for Healthy Choices
Ted Fang, Asian Week Foundation
Paul Harmatz, MD, Children's Hospital & Research Center Oakland
Bela Matyas, MD, MPH, California Department of Public Health
Michele Peterson, MPH, Center for Health Improvement
Samuel So, MD, Asian Liver Center, Stanford University, School of Medicine

The California Health Policy Forum is an initiative of the Center for Health Improvement. Funding is provided by a grant from the California HealthCare Foundation.

With support from: