6th Annual African-American Hepatitis C Action Day event to be held in Palm Springs
On Wednesday, the Desert AIDS Project is holding its sixth annual National African American Hepatitis Action Day from 4 to 6 p.m. at the James O. Jessie Highland Unity Center in Palm Springs.
The event aims to address hepatitis C’s disproportionate effect on the African Americans community; the ‘silent killer’ disease affects twice as many African Americans as Caucasians and those of Latin descent.
Some facts from the organization’s news release on the event:
As many as 5,000 people living in the Coachella Valley may have HCV, and most don’t know it. From 2010-2015, cases of HCV tripled in the US. The cure has only been around for four year and many suffering with HCV are unaware It only takes eight to 12 weeks for medication to provide a cure. HCV is the leading cause of liver cancer in the black community.
Just last month, it was announced that Gov. Jerry Brown had allocated $176 million in the budget to combat HCV. The Desert AIDS Project offers free testing for HCV, and recommends testing for baby boomers, anyone who has received a blood transfusion before 1992, anyone with HIV, anyone with piercings or tattoos and anyone at risk for sexually transmitted infections.
Click here for more information on the event.
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