To Educate and prevent Further Spread of Hepatitis C Within the African American Communities

WHEREAS, Hepatitis C is a serious liver disease that comes from infection with the Hepatitis C Virus (HCV). Hepatitis C disproportionately affects the African American community. Blacks are twice as likely to have been infected with the Hepatitis C virus than whites and other ethnic groups. Most are not aware that they have been infected; and 

WHEREAS, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) analysis there was a significant increase in Hepatitis C deaths between 1999 and 2007. The CDC estimates that there are approximately 3.2 million persons living in the United States who were likely infected during the 1970s to the 1980s; and 

WHEREAS, there is no vaccine for Hepatitis C, but there is treatment that many African Americans and other ethnic groups are unable to afford. 

THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the NAACP encourage units to work with health care partners to promote events to educate and prevent further spread of HCV in African Americans; and 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the NAACP urge insurers to provide affordable coverage and greater access to available treatments for consumers; and 

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the NAACP utilize this resolution to encourage legislators to enact legislation to address affordable treatment options for Hepatitis C.