More than 120 physicians, nurses, social workers and other health professionals gathered on the Case Western Reserve University campus to increase awareness of the most common chronic blood-borne infection in the United States—Hepatitis C.

They met at Thwing Center for the 2003 Hepatitis C Summit to learn about the medical, economic and social impact of the infection; to review the latest options for therapeutic interventions; and to engage in an assessment of community needs and plans to further control its spread and consequences for health.

Since 1992, when routine testing of blood products for Hepatitis C was introduced, the incidence of new infections with Hepatitis C has markedly decreased, but the prevalence of chronic infection continues to result in 8,000 to 10,000 deaths annually.

"Hepatitis C frequently occurs in an insidious form until it results in more serious problems, such as cirrhosis, liver failure and liver cancer," said Nathan A. Berger, director of the Center for Science, Health and Society.

More than 3.9 million Americans, including more than 200,000 Ohioans, have been infected with Hepatitis C. More than 2.7 million Americans are infected on a chronic basis.

Case's Center for Science, Health and Society organized the conference with support from the Cleveland Department of Public Health, the Northern Ohio Chapter of the American Liver Foundation, the Ohio Department of Health and the National Association of County and City Health Officials.

Return to the online edition of the 11-20-03 Campus News.