VA Launches New Web Site on Hepatitis C

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WASHINGTON (Feb. 23, 2004) -- A new, comprehensive Web site on hepatitis C at www.hepatitis.va.gov will be formally launched Feb. 25 through a collaboration between the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the University of California at San Francisco's Center for HIV Information (CHI).

"Hepatitis C is another reminder that veterans rely on VA to care for a wide variety of illnesses and battlefield injuries," said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Anthony J. Principi. "This Web site will help both veterans and medical practitioners to understand this complex, long-term illness."

Hepatitis C is the most common blood borne infection in the United States, affecting 2 percent of the population. VA cares for more hepatitis C patients than any other medical system, with more than 200,000 patients since 1996. The department has the largest screening, testing and care program for hepatitis C in the nation.

The new hepatitis C Web site has a section for veterans and non-medical employees that includes general information and links to other Web sites. It also offers information for health care providers that is searchable by topic and includes best practices, guidelines and slides.

"Hepatitis C is an important public health issue for our nation," said Dr. Lawrence Deyton, VA's chief consultant for public health, who oversees VA's hepatitis C programs. "VA is pleased to join with CHI, a world-class medical Web site developer, to provide a user-friendly resource on hepatitis C for providers, patients and public health authorities."

CHI, based at the San Francisco VAMC, is directed by Dr. Laurence Peiperl, a medical staff member of both the university and the San Francisco VAMC. Dr. Paul A. Volberding, chief of the medical service at the San Francisco VAMC, chairs the CHI Advisory Board.