RESOLUTION NO. 060500

Declaring May, 2006 as Hepatitis C Awareness Month and saluting Hepatitis C Multicultural Outreach for its efforts on behalf of the people of Kansas City.

WHEREAS, May has been designated Hepatitis C Awareness Month, and as such is recognized as a time to educate people and raise awareness of this silent killer; and

WHEREAS, hepatitis C (HCV) is the leading cause of liver disease in the United States. Approximately four million Americans (about 2%of the population) are infected; of that 4 million, approximately 880,000 are African-American. The disease is found more in specific populations, such as military veterans, people in prison, and the homeless. The most common transmission occurs when sharing needles. The disease can also occur in people who received blood or organs before 1992, the newborns of infected mothers, healthcare workers, and people with undiagnosed liver problems. There is no vaccine, but lifestyle changes can promote health and prevention. Because the disease is silent, many of those afflicted are unaware of their health status; and

WHEREAS, only about one-third of the four million Americans with the disease know they are infected. In Kansas City, the Hepatitis C Multicultural Outreach program is determined to educate the public about the disease, particularly those people in minority communities. Hepatitis C Multicultural Outreach maintains a Hep C telephone help line and a website, offers opportunities for screening, and provides help for people with the disease. This effort is important, and is appreciated; NOW, THEREFORE,

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF KANSAS CITY:

That the Mayor and Council hereby designate May as Hepatitis C Awareness Month and salute Hepatitis C Multicultural Outreach for its efforts on behalf of the people of Kansas City; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this Resolution be spread upon the Minutes of the Council in testimony thereof and that a copy hereof be presented to Johanna Koskinen of the Hepatitis C Multicultural Outreach program and Scott Carson of the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services with the appreciation of the Mayor, Council and citizens of Kansas City for their efforts in making the community aware of this disease.

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