Viral Hepatitis Monthly Newsletter

ISSUE NUMBER  Thirty-Three• March 2017

dividerAdult Viral Hepatitis prevention programdivider

Viral Hepatitis Action Plan

The National Viral Hepatitis Action Plan 2017-2020 has been posted and is ready to share. This Action Plan is the nation's roadmap for addressing viral hepatitis in the United States.

Developed collaboratively by 23 federal partners from the U.S. Departments of Health and Human Services, Housing and Urban Development, Justice, and Veterans Affairs with input from nonfederal stakeholders from a variety of sectors, the Action Plan recognizes that success cannot be achieved by federal action alone. The support and commitment of a broad mix of stakeholders from various sectors, both public and private is needed to achieve our national goals.

Click here to view and download the Action Plan.

divider

Viral Hepatitis News and Updates

National Academies Hepatitis B & C Elimination Report

On March 28, 2017, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine will release a final report on the elimination of hepatitis B and C as a public health concern in the United States. The report will be available at 11:00 a.m. Eastern on the National Academies website.

The National Academies is also hosting a launch event for the media and the public on March 28, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at 2101 Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC. Those not able to attend may listen to the event via webinar.

Register now to attend the event in person or via webinar. Seating for the in-person event is limited.

Highlights from CROI 2017

The annual Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI) was held in Seattle from February 13 to 16 this year. The conference brought together researchers from around the world to share the latest studies, developments and research methods in HIV/AIDS and related infectious diseases. This year many hepatitis related topics were presented by researchers. Click the links below to read about some of the highlights:

Hepatitis C Transmission Among Men Who Have Sex with Men (MSM)

 http://www.croiconference.org/sessions/high-prevalence-hepatitis-c-virus-among-hiv-negative-msm-amsterdam-prep-project

http://www.croiconference.org/sessions/unrestricted-daa-access-netherlands-rapid-therapy-uptake-hivhcv-patients

Hepatitis C-Associated Diseases

http://www.croiconference.org/sites/default/files/posters-2017/354_Mastrorosa.pdf

http://www.croiconference.org/sites/default/files/posters-2017/542LB_Menzaghi.pdf

Cure Rates among Persons Who Inject Drugs (PWID) and Other Groups

http://www.croiconference.org/sessions/hcv-treatment-people-who-inject-drugs-colocated-within-needle-and-syringe-program

http://www.croiconference.org/sites/default/files/posters-2017/534_Berenguer.pdf

Treatment Benefits

http://www.croiconference.org/sites/default/files/posters-2017/575_Biliotti.pdf

https://www.hepmag.com/article/treatment-soon-nearly-eradicate-hep-c-among-french-people-hiv

Hepatitis C Testing Low Among Baby Boomers

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an estimated 3.2 million people are living with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV). Seventy-five percent of those infected were born between 1945 and 1965, also known as baby boomers. Because of the high prevalence of HCV among baby boomers, CDC and the United States Preventive Services Task Force recommend that all adults in the birth cohort receive one-time testing for HCV. Despite this recommendation, most baby boomers have not been tested, according to researchers from the American Cancer Society.

Researchers used data from the 2013 and 2015 National Health Interview Survey, including responses from 23,967 baby boomers. Findings from the study revealed that only 13.8% of all baby boomers had been tested for hepatitis C in 2015, a slight increase from 12.3% in 2013. Of the 76.2 million estimated baby boomers in 2015, only 10.5 million received hepatitis C testing. Testing was the lowest among those with private insurance.

Click here to see the full study.

WHO Guidelines on Hepatitis B and C Testing

The World Health Organization (WHO) has published first guidelines on testing for chronic hepatitis B and C infection. The guidelines complement other published guidance by WHO on prevention, care and treatment of chronic hepatitis B and hepatitis C infection. These guidelines outline the public health approach to strengthening and expanding current testing practices for hepatitis B and C, and are intended for use across age groups and populations.

To view this publication and other hepatitis related publications by WHO, click here.

Hepatitis B Foundation: Storytelling Campaign

In January, the Hepatitis B Foundation officially launched their new storytelling campaign, #justB. The national storybank includes people affected by hepatitis B who are sharing their stories to put a human face on this serious disease, decrease stigma and discrimination, and promote the importance of testing and treatment for hepatitis B. A new story will be featured each month throughout 2017.

Watch the March story about Theobald Owusu-Ansah, president of the Hepatitis Foundation of Ghana and a person infected with the hepatitis B virus: Theobald's Story.

Click here to visit the Hepatitis B Foundation website.

divider

Hepatitis Resources

CDC Campaign Materials

CDC has “Know More Hepatitis” and “Know Hepatitis B” campaign materials available for free. Available materials include posters, infographics, buttons and badges, radio ads and scripts and email signatures. Click the links below to visit the websites.

 Know More Hepatitis

 Know Hepatitis B

Updated Algorithm on Recommended Testing/Follow-up for Healthcare Personnel Potentially Exposed to HCV

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has updated the testing algorithm, previously released in 2001, for healthcare personnel who have been potentially exposed to hepatitis C virus (HCV). This notice is based on current laboratory guidance as of November 2016.

Click here to view or print the new testing recommendations.

HCV Advocate website

Hcvadvocate.org is a website supported by the Hepatitis C Support Project and includes many free resources for anyone to utilize.  The website has links to fact sheets and news articles and educational materials.  Check out the website by clicking here.

Immunization Action Coalition (IAC)

The IAC has many free handouts and facts sheets about hepatitis and many are available in multiple languages.  Check out their website at http://www.immunize.org/

A few handouts that are available…

o    Hepatitis B Facts: Testing and Vaccination

http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p2110.pdf

o    If you, your parents, or your children were born in any of these place

http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p4170.pdf 

o    Hepatitis B information for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders

 http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p4190.pdf

IN THIS ISSUE

divider divider

UPCOMING EVENTS

divider

Train-the-Trainer Workshop

On May 10, join the Hepatitis C Support Project team as they present the Hepatitis C Train-the-Trainer Workshop in Indianapolis, IN. This is a free training.

Who Should Attend?

Health educators, HIV/STD counselors and testers, medical providers, substance abuse counselors, case managers, support group leaders, corrections and law enforcement, people living with HCV and other health professionals who will provide education, support and advocacy for people and populations affected by HCV.

During this workshop, attendees will be able to :

• Explain transmission, prevention, symptoms and treatments for HCV

• Explain basic information regarding hepatitis C

• Describe the various tests used in diagnosing hepatitis C

• Contrast between acute and chronic hepatitis C and describe possible long-term liver damage

• Identify various methods helpful in managing hepatitis C

• Describe current medical treatments and the side effects

• Communicate a plan of action of how to educate and support others in your community about hepatitis C

• Learn about local resources

 Look out for registration information soon or contact Sherika Sides at ssides@isdh.in.gov.