LANGHORNE, PA – On Friday, October 21, 2022, Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01) announced the Hepatitis B Foundation received a Community Project Funding (CPF) grant for the Hepatitis B Foundation’s Center of Public Health Excellence. The CPF was introduced by Congressman Fitzpatrick into the FY2022 Consolidated Appropriations Act as a part of the Community Project Funding program. This new initiative allows Members of Congress to target federal funds towards projects and programs within their congressional districts that will address the most significant needs facing the communities they represent.

The project was selected because it will allow the Foundation to provide expert resources, training, and technical assistance on how to prevent, treat, and control Hepatitis B to state and local health departments, social service organizations, and community health providers. Furthermore, The Center will build public health infrastructure to decrease health disparities and improve health access and outcomes in underserved, disparately impacted communities of color, working toward the ultimate goal of Hepatitis B elimination.

“Each year, up to 40,000 Americans become newly infected with Hepatitis B, with thousands dying from this infection. With the elimination of Hepatitis B in sight, we must continue to prioritize funding to find more effective treatments and ultimately a cure for this disease,” said Fitzpatrick. “As a member of the Congressional Hepatitis Caucus, I am proud to have a trailblazer in Hepatitis B research right here in Bucks County, but moreover, I am proud to have supported their community project request for the Center of Public Health Excellence, which supports the World Health Organization’s goal of eliminating Hepatitis B by 2030.”

“We know at least 50,000 Pennsylvanians are living with chronic hepatitis B, many have the disease without knowing it, and about half of people diagnosed with this serious viral infection do not have access to sufficient healthcare,” said Chari Cohen, DrPH, MPH, president of the Hepatitis B Foundation. “The work we are doing with this federal funding will get more Pennsylvanians vaccinated, diagnosed, and into good medical care to manage their infection. We are very appreciative of Congressman Fitzpatrick’s leadership and assistance in securing this valuable allocation.”

The Hepatitis B Foundation is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to finding a cure and improving the quality of life for those affected by Hepatitis B worldwide. The Foundation’s commitment includes funding focused research, promoting disease awareness, supporting immunization and treatment initiatives, and serving as the primary source of information for patients and their families, the medical and scientific community, and the general public.

On October 12, 2022, Congressman Fitzpatrick announced the first PA-01 Community Project Funding for the Doylestown Health Foundation.

On October 18, 2022, Congressman Fitzpatrick announced the second PA-01 Community Project Funding (CPF) for Woods Services. The Hepatitis B Foundation’s CPF is the third announcement.

 

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