 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Area Healthcare Providers Attend Kick-Off of Hep C Awareness Campaign ALTOONA - Several local dentists and physicians, along with their staff and residents, attended a presentation to address Hepatitis C prevention, screening, and education. Over the past year, the Blair County Healthy Community Partnership has convened and investigated the need for low-cost Hepatitis C testing. In response, the partnership recently initiated a yearlong awareness campaign to attack an alarming increase in Hepatitis C. In Blair County alone, 215 new cases of the virus were reported in 2003. This appears to coincide with the burgeoning problem of substance abuse. The Blair County Health and Welfare Council, in conjunction with Home Nursing Agency, Altoona Regional Health System, Nason Hospital and Tyrone Hospital, invited the Founder/CEO of Hepatitis Foundation International, Thelma King-Thiel, to help educate and provide resources to public and health care professionals. The hospitals have agreed to hold Hepatitis C screening programs over the next several months. “The Blair County Healthy Community Partnership is to be congratulated for launching a coordinated effort to promote liver wellness as an effective approach to attacking the increasing problem of viral hepatitis,” said Thiel. Officials and community leaders asked the assistance of Thiel, also known as 'The Liver Lady', to mobilize the community to promote liver wellness as an effective approach to prevent the spread of Hepatitis C and to bring this critical problem under control. Thiel's unique and effective communication techniques have achieved success in preventing viral hepatitis, substance abuse and motivating individuals to adopt healthier lifestyle behaviors. She encouraged the healthcare providers from across the region to take advantage of teachable moments to educate young and old alike. Hepatitis C is a preventable disease. Attacking the problem through an organized and coordinated effort can save lives and reduce the incidence of hepatitis and other blood borne diseases. Education is key to promoting prevention. Effective teaching tools are available for local children, adolescents, parents, healthcare providers, and those who participate in high-risk behaviors. Viruses, drugs and alcohol attack and kill liver cells that serve as the employees in the body's personal power plant. This occurs without any warning until the damage is far advanced leading to cirrhosis and even cancer. Hepatitis infections can go undetected for 20 and even 30 years; thereby, contributing to the spread of these insidious viruses. For information on Hepatitis C education or screening dates and locations, please contact the Blair County Community Partnership at 814.943.8107. 
|  | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||