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May 19th is World Hepatitis Day.
See our press release about the activities the San Francisco Hepatitis C Task Force will be doing to raise awareness and encourage testing!


The word "hepatitis" means inflammation of the liver and also refers to a group of viral infections that affect the liver. The most common types are hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C. Hepatitis C is a liver infection caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV). HCV infection is the most common chronic bloodborne infection in the United States; approximately 4-6 million persons are chronically infected. San Francisco has the highest liver cancer rate in the nation, most of which is attributed to high rates of hepatitis B and hepatitis C virus infections.

In 2009, Mayor Gavin Newsom appointed a diverse group of individuals to form the San Francisco Hepatitis C Task Force and develop recommendations about how to strategically address hepatitis C in the city. In 2010, the Task Force met on a monthly basis. In addition, Task Force committees met monthly to develop draft recommendations in specific topic areas (i.e., Care & Treatment; Prevention, Education, Awareness & Testing; Public Policy; and Research & Surveillance). 

At the end of 2010 the Task Force approved its final report, Recommendations for Strategically Addressing Hepatitis C in San Francisco. In 2011, the Task Force will continue to meet as a community group, not under the auspices of the Mayor's Office, to ensure implementation of its recommendations.

For more information on the Task Force, contact info@hepcsf.org






Check out the recent recognition the Task Force received from Senator Mark Leno, Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsom, and Project Inform at
Project Inform's Spring Brunch 2011!