But while the number of people infected each year peaked in the 1980s, people are developing symptoms now, according to a September 8 article in the Arizona Republic.

Arizona health officials hope they can prevent liver damage and death by encouraging people with Hepatitis C to stop drinking alcohol and get vaccinated against other Hepatitis strains. Abstinence or even cutting back will prevent cirrhosis, a chronic disease that interferes with normal liver function.

To do so, the Arizona health department will soon launch a targeted health education campaign funded by a $70,000 grant from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and state taxpayers.

Dr. Bob England, state epidemiologist for the Arizona Department of Health Services, said the idea of encouraging abstinence has faced criticism. Skeptics think officials won't be able to change individuals' alcohol consumption. But a recent study of a similar program in San Diego showed that half of those contacted stopped drinking alcohol and one-quarter decreased their consumption. The program has the potential to turn a public health disaster into a success.

"This is what public health is here for," England said. "The reason I get so hot and bothered about Hep C is not that it's the biggest threat to public health; it's that we have an obvious prevention staring us in the face. If we can show a positive reaction (to the program), I think it will have a real impact on things nationally."

In Arizona, hospital costs related to the disease rose to $113 million in 2002 from $65 million a year earlier, according to the state health department. The CDC estimates the disease's price tag will top $1 billion by 2008 and $5 billion in 20 years.

Tucson, Arizona, and San Diego, California, are both Demand Treatment! communities.