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July 28th is World Hepatitis Day.
See our about the activities the Paris 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. Paris 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 Paris 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 Paris. 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






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