Infectious but forgotten disease

liver411

The Times October 25, 2006


Infectious but forgotten disease


Sir, Hepatitis B is a highly infectious and life-threatening liver disease.
The Department of Health estimates that 180,000 people in the UK are
infected with hepatitis B. The true number affected is almost certainly
higher than official statistics indicate and thousands more are contracting
the disease each year. The nation is paying a heavy price in human suffering
and financial cost to the NHS.
New research by YouGov suggests that: 89 per cent of the public do not know
that hepatitis B can lead to cancer; 60 per cent are unaware that it can be
prevented through vaccination; 83 per cent just don’t know that hepatitis B
is more infectious than HIV.



We are backing the launch today of the “B Aware” campaign to raise awareness
of hepatitis B and to request from government a national strategic action
plan to ensure better diagnosis, treatment and prevention.

Hepatitis B has for too long received a level of priority that is inadequate
when set against its scale and severity.


MALCOLM CARR
Vice-Chairman, Association of Nurses in Substance Abuse
ALISON ROGERS
Chief Executive, British Liver Trust
CATHERINE ARKLEY
Chief Executive, Children’s Liver Disease Foundation
PENNY WEBB
Co-ordinator, Hepatitis B Foundation UK
DR NICOLA ROWAN
Director, Mainliners

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,8122-2419984,00.html