Events Across the Country Will Raise
Awareness of Veterans’ Increased Risk for Chronic HCV
Infection
Merck (NYSE:MRK), known as MSD outside of the United States and
Canada, today announced a collaboration with the American Liver
Foundation to raise awareness among U.S. veterans about their
increased risk for chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection.
Chronic HCV infection can slowly damage the liver and may cause
serious liver disease decades following initial infection, often
without apparent symptoms. Through the initiative, the American
Liver Foundation will join events in cities across the country to
educate veterans about risk factors for chronic HCV infection, as
well as how they can be tested and treated, if appropriate.
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Chronic HCV infection is the most common blood-borne disease in
the United States, affecting approximately 3.5 million people.
Veterans are three times more likely to have chronic HCV infection
than the general population. The risk is highest for veterans born
between 1945 and 1965, who are five times more likely than other
veterans to have chronic HCV infection. In addition to age and
veteran status, other risk factors for chronic HCV infection
include having undergone a transfusion with blood or blood products
before 1992, having injected drugs, having gotten body piercings or
tattoos, or being infected with HIV.
“Despite their increased risk for chronic hepatitis C virus
infection, too many veterans remain undiagnosed,” said Thomas F.
Nealon III, chief executive officer of the American Liver
Foundation. “We are proud to work with Merck on this important
initiative, which we believe will help many veterans better
understand their risk, as well as their options for getting tested
and linked to care.”
Through the program, educational events will initially be held
in Boston, Philadelphia, Phoenix and San Diego. At the events,
educators from the American Liver Foundation will speak with
veterans about their potential risk factors for chronic HCV
infection and provide tips and resources for those who are at-risk
or living with the disease.
“At Merck, we are deeply grateful for the service and sacrifices
that veterans have made for our country,” said John Schwind,
executive director, Merck. “We will continue working on behalf of
veterans through initiatives such as this, as well as through our
broader commitment to hiring veterans and providing resources to
support employees transitioning to civilian life.”
For more information about the educational events and to learn
more about the impact of chronic HCV on veterans, please contact
your local American Liver Foundation office.
About Chronic Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Infection
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a chronic viral infection
that is spread through contact with infected blood and can cause
serious liver problems, including cirrhosis (scarring of the liver)
and liver cancer. Chronic HCV slowly damages the liver, often
without showing symptoms. In many cases, the infection is not
recognized until problems with the liver have already
developed.
About The American Liver Foundation
The American Liver Foundation is a trusted voice and resource
for patients with liver disease. Its mission is to facilitate,
advocate and promote education, support and research for the
prevention, treatment and cure of liver disease. The Foundation’s
16 divisions across the country provide support to patients,
families and the general public. It funds research that has helped
further careers of young scientists in the field of liver health in
the hopes of finding treatments and cures for liver disease.
For more information, visit the American Liver Foundation
website or call the National HelpLine 1-800-GO-LIVER
(1-800-465-4837).
About Merck
For more than a century, Merck, a leading global
biopharmaceutical company known as MSD outside of the United States
and Canada, has been inventing for life, bringing forward medicines
and vaccines for many of the world’s most challenging diseases.
Through our prescription medicines, vaccines, biologic therapies
and animal health products, we work with customers and operate in
more than 140 countries to deliver innovative health solutions. We
also demonstrate our commitment to increasing access to health care
through far-reaching policies, programs and partnerships. Today,
Merck continues to be at the forefront of research to advance the
prevention and treatment of diseases that threaten people and
communities around the world - including cancer, cardio-metabolic
diseases, emerging animal diseases, Alzheimer’s disease and
infectious diseases including HIV and Ebola. For more information,
visit www.merck.com and connect with us
on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube
and LinkedIn.
Forward-Looking Statement of Merck & Co., Inc.,
Kenilworth, N.J., USA
This news release of Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, N.J.,
USA (the “company”) includes “forward-looking statements” within
the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are
based upon the current beliefs and expectations of the company’s
management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties.
If underlying assumptions prove inaccurate or risks or
uncertainties materialize, actual results may differ materially
from those set forth in the forward-looking statements.
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industry conditions and competition; general economic factors,
including interest rate and currency exchange rate fluctuations;
the impact of pharmaceutical industry regulation and health care
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future events or otherwise. Additional factors that could cause
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version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20171012005279/en/
MerckMedia:Michael Close, 267-305-1211orPam Eisele,
267-305-3558orAmerican Liver FoundationMedia:Saara Khadir,
202-591-4010
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