Hep Free NYC | November 2017 Newsletter

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News

NYC Health Department
2016 Hepatitis B and C Annual Report

An overview of the NYC Health Department’s 2016 surveillance and research data on hepatitis B and C in NYC, as well as programmatic activities to address these epidemics.

There have been several recent hepatitis A (Hep A) outbreaks around the nation that have resulted in serious illness and several deaths. Outbreaks have occurred in homeless communities, and in people actively using drugs; and the most serious illness and death have been in people with another liver disease such as hepatitis C.

In NYC, the Health Department has received an increase of reports of Hep A in men who have sex with men.

Action Alert!
Encourage your patients to get fully vaccinated.

Hep A vaccine is available in most health care facilities.
Uninsured can visit the NYC Immunization Clinic.

Advocacy

Hep C RNA Reflex Testing Health Code Amendment Adopted in NYC!

In order to improve complete hepatitis C diagnostic testing, care and treatment rates in NYC at the population level, the NYC Board of Health adopted an amendment to the Health Code to require laboratories to automatically perform an hepatitis C RNA confirmatory test when there is an initial positive antibody test for hepatitis C.

The Board of Health approved the Amendment in September 2017, and the law went into effect on October 20th 2017. This letter has been sent to NYC laboratories informing them of the amendment.

Become an Advocate!

The New York City and State budget and legislative sessions are approaching!

Now is the ideal time to begin planning your advocacy activities.

Join our NYC Hep B & C Advocacy Workshop to learn about current policy and advocacy opportunities, the process for requesting funding for your organization or cause, and how to get involved. November 20 (3 - 5 PM).

Community Health Worker Survey

If you work in a community health worker role (outreach, navigation, health education), take this survey to provide input on compensation, job roles, certification and training. Read more here.

Awareness

NYC Liver Health Mobile App updated!

Provides risk assessment tools, patient education material and a testing and care site locator.
Download for free: Google Play or Iphone

BE ABOUT IT

A documentary about two different approaches to living with hepatitis B.

Upcoming Events

CME | Elimination of Hepatitis B: Is it Possible? Anna Suk-Fong Lok, M.D., D.Sc. President, AASLD, at the Chinese American Medical Society 54th Annual Scientific Conference: Advancing the Care of Women in 2017. Pier 60, NYC, November 4.

CME | Science in the City: Update on Rapidly Evolving Treatments for Liver Disease. Mount Sinai. November 11 (7:30 AM - 5 PM).

Webinar | More than Tested, Cured - Overcoming Barriers to Hep C Care. NVHR. November 14 (2 - 3 PM).

Meeting | NYC Hep C Task Force, HIV/Hepatitis C Treatment Access Committee. November 16 (10 AM - 12). NYC Health Dept. RSVP.

Workshop | NYC Hep B & C Advocacy. Hep Free NYC. November 20 (3 - 5 PM).

Event | From Screening to Treatment: The Clinician's Role in Eliminating Hep C in NYS. CEI and Mount Sinai. December 8 (8 - 12:30 PM).

Webinar | Hep C among Pregnant Women. NVHR. December 13 (12 PM - 1:30 PM).

Opportunities

Jobs

Communications Coordinator, Viral Hepatitis @ NYC Health Dept
Hep C/HIV Data Analyst @ NYC Health Dept
Perinatal Hep B Public Health Adviser @ NYC Health Dept
Hep C Project Manager @ Mount Sinai
H ep C Research Program Coordinator @ Mount Sinai
Hepatitis Outreach Network (HONE) Project Coordinator @ Mount Sinai

Peer Positions

Hep C Peer Navigator @ Afterhours Project. Contact Hector Quinones hquinones@afterhoursproject.org
Hep C Peer Navigators at Praxis Housing Initiatives. Contact Gil Cerpa gacerpa@praxishousing.org

Funding

Supporting Syringe Service Programs. AIDS United. (Due 11/10)

Since 2007, this newsletter has been developed through information, resources and opportunities shared by our Hep B Coalition and Hep C Task Force partners. Thank you! To send your ideas, click here.