Health District partners with Community Counseling for hepatitis testing project
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
February 5, 2013
LAS VEGAS – Community Counseling Center and the Southern Nevada Health District will kick off a hepatitis education campaign today. Testing for hepatitis B and C, and hepatitis immunizations will be administered along with free HIV testing at the Community Counseling Center, 714 E. Sahara Ave., Ste. 101, every Tuesday and Wednesday from 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., and 8 a.m. – 1p.m. on Thursdays. For information, contact the Community Counseling Center, (702) 369-8700 or the health district’s Sexual Health Clinic, (702) 759-0702.
The testing and education campaign is part of a project funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services and Administration. The project’s funding is provided to Community Counseling Center to conduct HIV and hepatitis screenings and to administer appropriate hepatitis immunizations in Clark County.
The health district will administer rapid HIV tests with results available the same day. Results from hepatitis B and C blood tests will be available in one week. Clients who test positive for hepatitis will receive counseling and follow up from Community Counseling Center staff and its partner, First Medical of Southern Nevada.
Recently, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended hepatitis C testing for people born between 1945 and 1965 and estimates that one in 30 baby boomers are infected with hepatitis C. Most are not aware of their infection. Hepatitis C is more common among people who received blood transfusions or organ transplants prior to 1992, and intravenous drug users. The CDC recommends that anyone with a history of intravenous drug use or unprotected sexual contact get tested for hepatitis B and C. Chronic hepatitis infections are a leading cause of liver cancer and the most common reason for liver transplantation. An estimated 4.4 million Americans are living with chronic hepatitis infection. There are immunizations to protect against hepatitis A and B.
Founded in 1990 by Ronald Lawrence, Community Counseling Center (CCC) was formed to address the need for affordable mental health treatment. Since then, CCC has been providing quality substance abuse and mental health treatment to southern Nevadans. CCC counselors help families stay together, prevent homelessness and work with clients to lead sober lives. Counselors also work with HIV/AIDS and hepatitis C infected and affected clients to improve their coping skills and well being.
The Southern Nevada Health District serves as the local public health authority for Clark County, Boulder City, Henderson, Las Vegas, Mesquite and North Las Vegas. The agency safeguards the public health of the community’s residents and visitors through innovative programs, regulations, and initiatives focused on protecting and promoting their health and well-being. More information about the Health District, its programs, services, and the regulatory oversight it provides is available at www.SNHD.info. Follow the Health District on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.