Ontario Launches Full-Scale ‘Hepatitis C’ Ad Campaign
Posted May 1, 2007 12:00 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Some 35,000 people across Ontario have it and don’t know it.
That’s why the province is launching an advertising campaign that’ll include TV commercials in eight different languages, ads in almost 300 newspapers, and an online blitz to spread the word.
The prevalence of hepatitis C – a viral infection that seems to fly under the radar in most people until it becomes a serious health problem – is what’s behind this alarming statistic that came from health officials Tuesday.
The ads will point people to a new website that features an anonymous quiz to determine whether you’re at risk for contracting the disease.
Hepatitis C, commonly spread through intravenous drug use, can cause cirrhosis and liver cancer.
It’s possible to live with the disease for several years without experiencing symptoms, said Dr. David Wong, a hepatologist at Toronto Western Hospital.
“In the ’60s, if you used that one or two needles, you may have hepatitis C,” said Wong.
“If you lived in a country at a time where they were not throwing away their syringes, but were actually vaccinating everybody with the same needle, you may have hepatitis C from 40 years ago and not know it.”
Keith Barry, a member of Ontario’s hepatitis C task force, was infected during a blood transfusion in 1979 but wasn’t diagnosed until 1989. He called the awareness campaign invaluable.
“When I was diagnosed in 1989, these tools didn’t exist,” said Barry.
“I staggered around in the dark for a long time, not knowing where I was or what I was going to do, in a mass confusion. Today, people don’t have to do that.”
He believes such campaigns have an important role to play in dispelling myths about hepatitis C adding that he still hears stories that people have a tough time dealing with the stigma attached to the disease when they’re at work or with friends and family.
“If I can help that, then I’ve done my job.”
Overall, officials say about 110,000 Ontarians have the viral infection.
