World Hepatitis Day: Reflecting on U.S. Activities

Cross-posted from the HHS.gov Hepatitis blog

Viral hepatitis affects more than 325 million people around the world. On this World Hepatitis Day, we are reminded of the role that each of us plays in global hepatitis elimination and of the need for continued education about hepatitis and its global effects. If you are not already familiar with viral hepatitis, learn about the basics of hepatitis A, B, and C.

Our federal and non-federal colleagues have been and continue to be hard at work addressing viral hepatitis and associated health disparities. To commemorate World Hepatitis Day 2020, we have collected a few key accomplishments and highlights from over the past several months to serve as examples of the great work being done in the United States.

• From the Department of Veterans Affairs: VA Career Providers Help Cure 100K Veterans of Hepatitis C: Career nurses, pharmacists, physicians and medical professionals establish VA as a global leader in hepatitis C diagnosis and treatment.
• U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Issues New Recommendation Statement on Screening for Hepatitis C in Adolescents and Adults: Independent panel of health experts recommends that clinicians screen all adults age 18-79 for hepatitis C infection.
• Release of CDC Vital Signs Report on Newly Reported Cases of Hepatitis C and Updated Hepatitis C Screening Recommendations: Hepatitis C now affects every generation, underscoring new CDC hepatitis C screening recommendations that all adults should be tested at least once and all pregnant women during every pregnancy.
• 2020 Hepatitis C Medicaid Affinity Group In-Person Convening: Summary and Highlights: Participating states and federal partners shared expertise and states developed state-specific action plans to address hepatitis C.
• The Grady Liver Clinic: HCV Micro-Elimination in a Southern Safety-Net Health System: Atlanta’s Grady Liver Clinic is focused on HCV elimination. The clinic provides HCV screening, care and cure for Grady’s underserved, high prevalence population.
• The Caring Ambassadors Program Addresses HCV: The Bigg Elimination Tribute Project: The Caring Ambassador Program’s module-based training program lays out necessary steps to incorporate the HCV cure cascade into existing infrastructures.
• Hepatitis Elimination Spotlight: Hep C Free Allegheny on the Path to Elimination: Hep C Free Allegheny is improving the continuum of HCV prevention, diagnosis, care, and treatment in Allegheny County, PA.
• Uniting to Eliminate Hepatitis B in the United States: Hep B United is dedicated to reducing the health disparities associated with hepatitis B by increasing awareness, screening, vaccination, and linkage to care.
• Hepatitis Elimination Spotlight: Alaska Takes on Hepatitis in Alaska Native/American Indian Population Across the State: In the Alaska Native population, Alaska has eliminated new HAV and HBV infections and linked 90% of patients with chronic HBV to care.  Alaska is now working toward HCV elimination across the entire state.
• Hepatitis Elimination Spotlight: Charles B. Wang Health Center Tackles Hepatitis B: Charles B. Wang Community Health Center is committed to preventing new hepatitis B infections and deaths among its patients.