On the heels of the recent Institute of Medicine report on viral hepatitis, we mark the 15th anniversary of National Hepatitis Awareness Month, and World Hepatitis Day is May 19, 2010. These observances raise awareness about the large but often under recognized burden of disease and death associated with viral hepatitis. An estimated 4.5 million Americans have chronic hepatitis B or C, which together account for the major cause of chronic liver disease and liver cancer.
These observances remind us to review, refocus, and reenergize our efforts to build a comprehensive public health approach to include strengthening surveillance, protecting vulnerable populations, preventing disease from chronic hepatitis, and acting globally to reduce the burden of viral hepatitis. Additional information is available at www.cdc.gov/hepatitis.
National HIV Testing Day
Over the last year, multiple campaigns have been launched by CDC and our partners. Two of the most high profile are Act Against AIDS and GYT. These campaigns have made our messages timelier and more broadly received and will certainly help to heighten engagement with National HIV Testing Day (NHTD) on June 27. This observance, led by the National Association of People with AIDS (NAPWA), is 
critical to our national effort to encourage individuals to receive voluntary HIV testing. We all have a role to play to communicate this message and NHTD is an ideal opportunity to get involved and promote testing.
Since 1995, on HIV Testing Day, local and community organizations have encouraged people of all ages to “Take the Test, Take Control,” and that message continues today. Many activities are planned for the observance, and promotional materials, such as Web buttons and banners, are available at hivtest.cdc.gov for use by partners. You can also register your NHTD 2010 events. Please join in making HIV Testing Day 2010 a success.
May
National Hepatitis Awareness Month
May 19
National Asian & Pacific Islander HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
World Hepatitis Day
June 8
Caribbean American HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
June 27
National HIV Testing Day
Join CDC’s live webcast on program collaboration and service integration.
We are pleased to have recently published two NCHHSTP reports: the Fiscal Year 2009 Annual Report and NCHHSTP’s Strategic Plan for 2010–2015. These reports highlight the fantastic work that has been conducted, as well as the important work that is still to come. Accomplishments from last year include launching the Act Against AIDS campaign, achieving further reduction in TB diagnoses, expanding hepatitis B vaccination programs, and using innovative communication technologies to promote STD and HIV prevention. These achievements were made possible by the tremendous support and collaboration between our staff and partners. As we look ahead to meeting the challenges that remain, our commitment to supporting and expanding effective partnerships remains paramount. The strategic plan therefore articulates an overarching strategic direction and innovative strategies to guide NCHHSTP’s programs. We welcome you to review both reports, available on our Internet page.