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Commentary: Become Aware, Get Tested During Hepatitis C Awareness Week

Published

11 years ago

February 25, 2014

By Armond S. Robinson

At its meeting on Feb.18, the Oakland City Council passed a resolution declaring March 8-15 Hepatitis C Awareness Week, calling on residents to learn about the risk factors for this preventable disease and to participate in Citywide education events.

This week of awareness is a part of a larger “Hep C Free Oakland” campaign initiated by the OASIS Clinic, an Oakland clinic dedicated to reducing the scope and consequences of hepatitis C in our communities.

In the U.S., nearly 5 million people have been exposed to Hepatitis C but the majority are unaware of their infection. Here in Oakland, a disproportionate number are people of color. I am one of those people.

At 62, knowing that Black men are at higher risk for colon cancer, I made an appointment with a primary care physician to get an overdue colonoscopy referral. My doctor also ordered several blood tests, one of which, fortunately, was for hepatitis C.

I had no symptoms of infection; she simply followed recommendations that all baby boomers should be tested.

Hepatitis C is called the silent killer for a good reason: had I not gotten that screening test, I would be walking around today, completely ignorant of my infection. The symptoms of Hep C are usually vague, such as fatigue, fever, joint and muscle aches, but even with minimal symptoms Hep C can lead to severe liver problems such as cirrhosis or even worse, cancer.

After learning my status, I sought treatment, and multiple follow up tests have shown that my virus is gone: I am cured. It is remarkable how few people know that the majority of people who get treated for Hep C can be cured.

In the past, Hep C treatment was difficult, but newer treatments are shorter and the drugs have fewer side effects. Hep C medications are improving rapidly, and cure rates are getting higher. There is hope, and it abounds.

But you probably won’t know you have it unless you are tested. And you should get tested if you could ever have come in intimate contact with someone else’s blood, or if you were born between the years of 1945 and 1965. Nowadays, the test just takes a fingerstick and 20 minutes. That’s not asking much, for an investment that could save your life.

Hep C Awareness Week will take place in Oakland on March 8- 15. There will be literature, education and testing at clinics and medical facilities throughout the city.

The OASIS Clinic, located at 520 27^th St., Oakland, will offer free rapid testing from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday through Friday of Awareness Week; you can find out your status right then and there and get all the information you need.

The week will culminate with a march around Lake Merritt beginning at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 15, starting from Snow Park at 19^th and Harrison. Testing will also be available there. So, be safe and get tested.

Come out, join the walk, and help yourself and others get and stay healthy.

Oakland Post

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Related Topics:Hep C Oakland City Clinic OASIS Clinic

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Activism

Barbara Lee Launches Campaign for Mayor of Oakland

“At this critical moment, we must not be a city divided, but a community united,” she Lee. “If elected I will bring my hands-on leadership, new ideas and decades of experience in identifying billions in resources for our great city, so all residents and businesses are stronger and safer and our community has optimism and confidence in Oakland’s future.”

Published

9 hours ago

January 8, 2025

Oakland Post

By Post Staff

Barbara Lee on Wednesday morning formally announced her candidacy for Mayor in Oakland’s April 15 special election.

“Time and time again, Oaklanders have faced our toughest obstacles by uniting to meet our challenges,” said Lee.

“At this critical moment, we must not be a city divided but a community united,” she said. “If elected, I will bring my hands-on leadership, new ideas, and decades of experience in identifying billions in resources for our great city so all residents and businesses are stronger and safer and our community has optimism and confidence in Oakland’s future.”

“As Mayor, I’ll address our homelessness crisis, prioritize comprehensive public safety and mental health services, and lead with fiscal responsibility to deliver the core City services residents and business owners deserve. Let’s do this – together.”

“I’ve never shied away from a challenge,” said Lee. “I’m always ready to fight for Oakland.”

Watch her campaign video here, which is online at BarbaraLee4Oakland.com

Oakland Post

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Activism

Who Wants to Be the Next Elected Mayor of Oakland?

The Oakland Post is issuing a CALL to all candidates to present their answers, plans, or solutions in response to our list of questions.

Published

2 days ago

January 7, 2025

Oakland Post

An aerial view of the downtown Oakland skyline on a clear sunny day. The federal building and other iconic buildings fill the skyline. Photo: iStock.

By Paul Cobb

Many of you probably recall the oft-repeated expression when describing leadership that “many are called but few are chosen.” We will be inundated during January with many claims of qualifications by those who want to lead Oakland.

As of Jan. 1, 2025, we have heard the names of 14 potential candidates who might become Oakland’s next Mayor.

The Oakland Post is issuing a CALL to all candidates to present their answers, plans, or solutions in response to our list of questions.

Any candidate who wishes to receive a free announcement, publicity or space in the paper must submit solutions.

The first questions we propose are 1) What is your budget balancing plan?
What is your position on requiring all city employees to work full-time in their designated offices rather than remotely from their homes?
What is your plan to provide open-access opportunities to all police officers for overtime pay?
Since many businesses, especially downtown, have closed, what is your plan to attract and increase revenues?

Please send your submissions of 300 words or less to each question to Social@postnewsgroup.com or visit www.postnewsgroup.com

Oakland Post

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Activism

Oakland NAACP President Stands on the Frontlines for Equity

With education as a cornerstone, Adams emphasized the importance of youth having access to quality kindergarten through 12th-grade education along with college or vocational programming beyond high school. “I feel that it’s so important for our children to get a good education in K-12th grade, along with the colleges of their choice, especially with the HBCU’s (Historically Black Colleges and Universities).”

Published

2 days ago

January 7, 2025

Oakland Post

NAACP Oakland President Cynthia Adams. Photo Courtesy of Cynthia Adams.

By Carla Thomas

For Cynthia Adams, president of the Oakland chapter of the NAACP, fighting for the rights of Black people comes naturally. With southern roots in Arkansas, Adams experienced firsthand the injustice and unfairness of racism.

“Growing up in the Jim Crow South, I experienced the unfair treatment of people of color and how faith can inspire communities to bring about positive and long-lasting change,” said Adams. Adams says a combination of her family and faith has kept her strong in the face of adversity and inspired her life’s work of advocacy.

Adams chose education as a career path — and a means to achieve equity and overcome racism. She earned her bachelor’s degree at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff and later received an advanced degree from California State East Bay.

Adams’ experience as an Oakland Unified School District (OUSD) recorder, a counselor, a researcher, and a college recruiter has allowed her to be laser-focused on youth. She also served as the chairperson for the Oakland NAACP youth.

“The mission of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People is to ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights of all persons and to eliminate race-based discrimination. We want to ensure our citizens have equal rights and opportunities without discrimination based on race.”

As a partner with the State of California’s Stop the Hate campaign, Adams says the initiative is a step in the right direction. “It’s great that our governor and state created the Stop the Hate campaign and provides resources for victims of racism and other hate crimes,” said Adams. “The racism toward Black people has increased and our children are being targeted,” she continued.

“We, at the Oakland branch, created a declaration on racism that will amplify the needs of our community to combat racism,” continued Adams. “That declaration was adopted nationally.”

Bridging communities and collaborating is also a strategy for moving society toward justice, according to Adams.

“Through the NAACP, we build connections between communities and advocate for the rights of historically marginalized and oppressed individuals,” said Adams. “Collective action is the only way to advance civil rights and promote social equity.”

By taking stands on supporting former Oakland Police Chief LeRonne Armstrong to supporting the recall of a mayor faced with a scandal that brought negative national press to the city of Oakland, Adams has always demanded more for her people, and better for Oakland, the city she calls home.

She expressed pride in the national organization’s announcement of a $200 million fund designed to empower Black funders nationwide. “We all know the health of a community begins with economics,” said Adams.

Adams says that strengthening Black businesses automatically sustains a community. “We’ve also got to educate our community on opportunities and teach our children critical thinking so that they can provide the next generation of solutions for society,” said Adams.