Press Contact: media@hispanicfederation.org
Please see photos of the event here.
New York, NY – Today, health advocates, elected officials, and community organizers gathered on the steps of New York City Hall to raise awareness about viral hepatitis, urge New Yorkers to get tested, and call for expanded access to prevention, testing, and treatment services – particularly in communities most affected by hepatitis B and C.
Viral hepatitis is a leading cause of liver cancer and liver-related deaths in the United States. Often called a “silent epidemic,” hepatitis B and C disproportionately affect people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, people who use substances, and justice-impacted populations. The rise in opioid use has further fueled hepatitis C transmission, especially among young people. While effective tools exist to prevent and treat these infections – including a vaccine for hepatitis B and curative treatments for hepatitis C – significant barriers to access persist.
“We have the tools to equip our communities to overcome the harshest effects of hepatitis C, we just need the funding to support that work. New York City has already stepped up to provide critical services to our community, but more is needed if we hope to avert the harms of hepatitis C in our neighborhoods and our families. We urge City Council Members to support increased funding for the Viral Hepatitis Initiative so we can expand life-saving services for the 300,000+ New Yorkers living with hepatitis B and C,” said Bethsy Morales-Reid, Vice President for Program Strategy & Impact at Hispanic Federation.
“Viral hepatitis claims 3,500 lives every single day, and we already have the tools to prevent, test for, and treat it. What we lack is equal access. On National Hepatitis Testing Day, we recommit to closing that gap for every New Yorker, in every community,” said City Council Member Virginia Maloney.
“Hepatitis is preventable, treatable, and in many cases curable, yet far too many New Yorkers still face barriers to testing, care, and treatment,” said Lynn Schulman, Chair of the New York City Council Committee on Health. “During Hepatitis Awareness Month, we recommit ourselves to expanding access to culturally competent healthcare, reducing stigma, and ensuring that every New Yorker has the support and resources they need to live healthy lives. I am proud to stand with advocates, providers, and community leaders in continuing the fight to eliminate viral hepatitis and advance health equity across our city.”
The rally coincided with National Hepatitis Testing Day, which was today, National Hepatitis Awareness Month, and National Hispanic Hepatitis Awareness Day (May 15).
Speakers at today’s event included Virginia Maloney, Council Member (District 4); Diana Diaz Munoz, Director of Capacity Building for the Viral Hepatitis Program at NYC DOHMH; Dr. Benjamin Hayes of Montefiore Hospital and OnPoint NYC; Julie Yoshimachi, Director of the Hepatitis B Program at Charles B. Wang Community Health Center; Natalia Gonzalez Varela, Med Span Manager at H+H Correctional Health; Binh Ly, Hepatitis B Advocate; Zaida Aguilar, Housing Works Hepatitis C Peer and Advocate; Jeanette Mathews, Hepatitis C Patient Navigator at OnPoint NYC; and Jonathan Rodriguez, Health Program Manager at Hispanic Federation.
The event was organized with support from Hispanic Federation, Housing Works, NYC Department of Health, Hep Free NYC, Latino Commission on AIDS, Oasis, BMS, Mount Sinai Hospital, Charles B. Wang Community Health Center, BronxWorks, Korean Community Services, Ann’s Corner of Harm Reduction, and The Hepatitis C Mentor and Support Group (HCMSG).
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About Hispanic Federation
Hispanic Federation (HF) is a nonprofit membership and advocacy organization, founded in 1990, committed to empowering and advancing the Hispanic community, with a focus on low-income, marginalized, and immigrant Latine. With programs in 43 states and territories, HF’s focus areas include immigration, economic empowerment, civic engagement, disaster relief, philanthropy, education, health, and the environment. HF also maintains ongoing public education campaigns and meets the organizational development needs of its member agencies through grant-making and capacity-building assistance.
