INTERNATIONAL TALK SHOW HOST CRISTINA SARALEGUI GETS SERIOUS ABOUT HEPATITIS C

New Public Service Announcement Urges Hispanic American To Get Tested For A Potentially Deadly Liver Disease

NEW YORK, 8/11/99 - Christina Saralegui, host of the number one daily talk show on Spanish-language television, is serious about Hepatitis C. She recently joined forces with the Latino Organization for Liver Awareness (LOLA), a nonprofit organization, to educate the Hispanic community about Hepatitis C, and its prevalence among Latinos.

"Hepatitis C is an issue that I am passionate about - it has also affected someone close to me," said Saralegui. "As a member of the Hispanic community, it is important to me to help raise awareness in the Hispanic community about HCV and the risks of contracting it. I am proud to be working with LOLA on this important initiative, and am dedicated to helping our communities find out more about this deadly disease."

In the United States approximately one out of every 50 Hispanics are affected with Hepatitis C. In addition, government statistics show that by the year 2025 the U.S. Hispanic population is projected to double, potentially resulting in a continued high rate Hepatitis C infection.

"Hepatitis C is the third leading cause of death among Latinos," said Debbie Delgado-Vega, founder and CEO of LOLA. "We hope to educate the community about risk factors and, if necessary, how to get tested and treated." Two common risk factors are contact with infected blood through injection, drug use or a blood transfusion prior to 1992 (when there was no test to detect Hepatitis C).

"Although Hepatitis C is a potentially deadly disease, the good news is that a new combination of drugs is available for treatment," said Jorge Herrera, MD, Professor of Medicine at the University of South Alabama. "This new combination is nearly three times more effective than standard monotherapy alone."

Hepatitis C is a viral disease spread through blood to blood contact. It often produces no sign or symptoms until serious liver damage is done. Left untreated, Hepatitis C can cause permanent scarring of the liver, liver cancer, and even death. In the next 10 to 20 years, deaths due to Hepatitis C are expected to triple, exceeding the annual number of deaths due to HIV.

The Latino Organization for Liver Awareness is a bilingual/bicultural, voluntary, nonprofit organization dedicated to raising awareness of liver diseases, such as Hepatitis C. LOLA promotes prevention and provides education and treatment referral services to the Latino community and other underserved populations in the United States.

If you think you may have been exposed to the Hepatitis C virus, see your doctor or call LOLA toll free at (888) 367-5652.