News & Research 

Mission

     The mission of Hepatitis Foundation International (HFI)
     is to promote liver wellness, healthy lifestyles, and
     help reduce the incidence of preventable diseases
     including; obesity, diabetes, fatty liver, hepatitis, 
     HIV, and substance abuse.     

Alcohol- Overworking your liver?

   Alcohol is a toxin that can damage
   liver cells, and alcoholic liver disease,
   particularly cirrhosis (dead liver cells),
   is one of the leading causes of
   alcohol related death.     - more

Diabetes- What role the liver
   plays in diabetes!

   Much of the food we eat is turned
   into sugar in the blood for our bodies
   and stored in the liver to use as
   needed for energy.            - more

Drug Induced Liver Disease-
                                                -more


 Obesity- Not just a fat belly – Fat
   is trouble for your liver

  When fat builds up, the liver can
  become inflamed and then scarred
  over time, leading to cirrhosis, liver
  failure or liver cancer.       - more

Smoking and Inhalants- Your liver
   and your bones

   If the liver has been damaged from
  smoking, its ability to balance
  hormones that bones need to stay
  strong is compromised.      - more

Viral Hepatitis- Viruses that silently
    kill liver cells
   One in 50 Americans is infected by
   hepatitis B and C viruses that silently
   kill liver cells that are responsible for
   hundreds of body functions that keep
   us alive, alert and healthy. Found
   primarily in blood, they can be spread
   unknowingly. Are you one of them?
                                      - more


 

 

 

       Partners In Liver Wellness Co-Chairs

 Dr Raymond Koff, co-chair of the Partners in Liver Wellness and renowned hepatologist, has been an avid advocate for prevention of liver diseases, viral hepatitis,   and supporting immunization of both hepatitis A and B for decades.  As a member of the Board of Directors of the Hepatitis Foundation International, Dr. Koff has provided science based medical advice and publications reaching out to patients, parents, children and government leaders encouraging liver health and wellness education.  A graduate of Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Dr. Koff currently is a Clinical Professor of Medicine and the University of Connecticut School of Medicine and an outstanding lecturer, speaking at HFI’s Summits in major cities across the country.

 
 Former NFL Coach Dan Reeves and co-chair of the Partners in Liver Wellness initiative has embraced liver health messages for his teams since the early 1980s when he learned for himself how important his own liver was. “Listening to a presentation on the important role the liver plays in their health and life itself had the greatest impact on my teams motivating them to take of themselves and avoid the pitfalls of participating in liver damaging behaviors.”  Reeves arranged for 5,000 inner city Atlanta middle school children to participate in HFI’s Let’s Kick Hepatitis Campaign at the Georgia Dome, viewing an award winning video called Respect Yourself – Protect Yourself and participating in interactive sports at the Dome.  Reeves was Named NFL Coach of the Year in 1993 and again in 1998 for his history making ninth Super Bowl Appearance at Super Bowl XXXIII.

           Why is liver health important?

 Your Liver - Your Engine and Personal Food
      Processor

    The fuel that keeps your body's engine, your
    liver, working 24/7 is the food you eat three
    or more times each day. Unfortunately, there
    is no way your liver can alert you that you
    need more fuel like the one in your car. When
    you see the gage nearing "empty" on the dash
    of your car, do you pull into the "cheapo" gas
    station or do you but the better brand to be
    sure your car is working
    at peak performance?
                                                      - more

 

  

           Educational Events

  Head Start Teachers, Parents,
   and Staff Learn New
   Techniques to Promote
   Healthy Lifestyles.

  San Jose was the site for the
  National Head Start Association's
  Annual Conference for 1700
  parents, teachers, administrators
  and staff. Liver health and
  wellness were the topics
  presented at two Liver Wellness
  workshops to provide new
  information and communication
  techniques for the attendees at
  the conference.