About the Symposium

Viral Hepatitis in Hawai'i 2009

Hepatitis B and C are responsible for a "silent epidemic" which is only now being appreciated by the medical community in Hawaii and the USA.

• Hepatitis B infects one in 20 immigrants in Hawaii.
• Hepatitis C infects one in 50 Americans.
• Patients infected with viral hepatitis may live for decades before the disease surfaces with liver cancer and cirrhosis.
• Most people who have hepatitis do not know they have it.

At the conclusion of this 1-day seminar, health care practitioners will be able to:

1. Describe the unique epidemiology and risk factors for viral hepatitis B and C in our Hawai'i community.
2. Explain basic aspects of screening, treatment and clinical management of hepatitis B and C.
3. Integrate practical strategies to identify patients with viral hepatitis and manage them in their practice
4. Analyze new and future therapies for hepatitis B and C and compare with current therapies.
5. Identify nutrition and lifestyle behaviors that may affect outcomes of viral hepatitis and underlying liver disease
6. Be able to be use reimbursement mechanisms to treat and vaccinate patients with viral hepatitis

SYMPOSIUM PLANNING COMMITTEE