H.C.R. 3
LEGISLATIVE GENERAL COUNSEL
6 Approved for Filing: D.M. Cheung 6
6 01-24-23 2:25 PM 6
H.C.R. 3
1 CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON RECOGNIZING HEPATITIS
2 AWARENESS MONTH AND NATI ONAL HEPATITIS DAY
3 2023 GENERAL SESSION
4 STATE OF UTAH
5 Chief Sponsor: Jennifer Dailey-Provost
6 Senate Sponsor: ____________
7
8LONG TITLE
9General Description:
10 This resolution recognizes July 28, 2023, as National Hepatitis Day, and May 2023 as
11Hepatitis Awareness Month.
12Highlighted Provisions:
13 This resolution:
14 <recognizes the impact of the hepatitis A, B, and C virus on the people of Utah;
15 <highlights the impact of screening, education, and treatment on reducing the effects
16of hepatitis; and
17 <joins the nationwide movement to raise awareness of hepatitis by recognizing in the
18state of Utah:
19 CJuly 28, 2023, as National Hepatitis Day; and
20 Cthe month of May as Hepatitis Awareness Month.
21Special Clauses:
22 None
23
24Be it resolved by the Legislature of the state of Utah, the Governor concurring therein:
25 WHEREAS, millions of Americans are impacted by the hepatitis A virus (HAV),
26hepatitis B virus (HBV), and hepatitis C virus (HCV), which cause infection to the liver,
27including an estimated 29,000 people in Utah living with HCV and an average of 272 HBV
*HCR003* H.C.R. 3 01-24-23 2:25 PM
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28cases reported to the state every year;
29 WHEREAS, greater than half of people living with viral hepatitis are unaware they are
30infected, thereby increasing their risk for severe health problems such as cirrhosis, liver cancer,
31liver transplant, and death;
32 WHEREAS, with immunizations, access to unused syringes and harm reduction
33supplies, and early detection, hepatitis A, B, and C can be prevented, hepatitis B can be treated,
34and hepatitis C can be cured, saving lives;
35 WHEREAS, the current epidemic of opioid, methamphetamine, and other substance
36use in the state is increasing transmission of these viruses that are spread through blood and
37bodily fluids primarily through injection, inclusive of intranasal, drug use;
38 WHEREAS, the CDC recommends all individuals over 18 years old and pregnant
39individuals be screened for hepatitis C virus, at-risk populations and all people born in regions
40of the world where HBV is common be screened for hepatitis B virus and receive routine
41vaccination against hepatitis A and B; and
42 WHEREAS, the CDC recommends education of the public and professionals on
43hepatitis prevention, testing, and treatment, treatment of all persons living with chronic
44hepatitis, and the development of systems to conduct viral hepatitis surveillance:
45 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah, the
46Governor concurring therein, proclaim July 28, 2023, as Hepatitis Awareness Day in Utah and
47the month of May 2023 as Hepatitis Awareness Month in the state of Utah and urges all
48citizens to join in this special observance.