NYC Health Department Hep C Surveillance Update
Angelica Bocour MPH, Viral Hepatitis Surveillance Director, NYC Health Dept (abocour@health.nyc.gov)

• There were 7,328 newly reported Hep C cases in NYC in 2015.
• Half were born between 1945-1965.
• Almost two-thirds were male.
• There was a slight decrease in newly reported cases from 2014 to 2015 among all age groups except 20- 39 year olds.
• The Hep C-related death rate is nearly the same as the HIV-related death rate in 2014.
• View presentation slides online.

Impact of a State-level Hep C Testing Law on Hep C Screening and Linkage to Care
Megan Haseltine LMSW, Hepatitis C Rapid Screening Coordinator, NYS Health Dept (megan.haseltine@health.state.ny.us)

• The NYS Hep C Testing Law was enacted in January 1, 2014 to increase Hep C screening and ensure timely Hep C diagnosis and linkage to care.
• Key provisions of the law:
  1) Hep C screening test must be offered to people born between 1945 and 1965 receiving: health services as an inpatient of a hospital or services in a primary care setting; services from a physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner providing primary care regardless of setting type.
  2) If an individual accepts the offer and tests antibody positive, the health care provider must offer or refer to follow-up health care.
• Overall, the number of Hep C screening tests increased 51.1% from 2013 to 2014.
• View presentation slides online.

NYC Council Viral Hepatitis Initiative Outcomes 

Check Hep C Patient Navigation Program

• In 2016, NYC Council allocated $430,502 for Check Hep C to fund five organizations to hire patient navigators to provide linkage to care and clinical care coordination services.
• From January 1, 2015 to June 30, 2016, Check Hep C served 722 patients living with Hep C. In that time, 358 started treatment and have likely been cured.

NYC Hep C Peer Navigation Program at Syringe Exchange Programs

• In 2016, NYC Council allocated $337,504 for the Hep C Peer Navigation Program to fund 15  15 Injection Drug User Health Alliance (IDUHA) syringe exchange programs to hire peer navigators to provide outreach to people at risk for Hep C, prevention services, navigation through complete diagnositc testing, linkage to care, retention in care and reinfection prevention.
• From January 1, 2014 to June 30, 2016, 3,664 people living with or risk for Hep C were enrolled and received Hep C health coaching and prevention services and testing if needed. 472 Hep C patients were referred to medical care and 51 were known to have started Hep C treatment. 

View Check Hep C and the Hep C Peer Navigation Program 2016 Final Reports.

Project INSPIRE: Hep C Comprehensive Care Coordination Program Update
Marie Bresnahan MPH, Director of Project INSPIRE, NYC Health Dept (mbresnahan@health.nyc.gov)

• Project INSPIRE is a CMS Health Care Innovations-funded comprehensive care coordination program that aims to reduce Hep C-related health complications and health care costs. 
• The overall goals of Project INSPIRE is to: provide treatment for Hep C to Medicaid and Medicare patients; demonstrate better health outcomes; and demonstrate cost savings.
• To date, the program has enrolled 2,471 patients and is actively recruiting more patients. Enrollment closes February 28, 2017. Find referral info here.
• 783 (69%) of Project INSPIRE participants initiated treatment, most will be cured.
• View presentation slides online.

NYC Hep C Policy Update: Statewide Elimination Summit and Beyond
Eric Rude, Director of Viral Hepatitis Policy and Development, NYC Health Dept (erude@health.nyc.gov)

• Purpose of the Hep C Elimination Summit is to develop and implement a statewide strategy to eliminate Hep C infection.
• Objectives of the summit are: 1) convene a diverse stakeholder meeting of policymakers, Hep C specialists and medical providers, payers, and community advocates; 2) review gaps in Hep C policies and programs; 3) present the findings and recommendations from the five working groups and produce a consensus document proposing a strategy for Hep C elimination; 4) identify additional research, infrastructure and resources required to scale up Hep C testing, prevention, care, supportive services, treatment, and address social determinants.
• Consensus document will be reviewed by NYC Hep C Task Force Partners.
• The Summit is planned for February 7th, in Albany.
• Aiming to have as many community members as possible to attend.  If you would like to attend, email Clifton Garman at clifton@vocal-ny.org 
• View presentation slides online.

Discussion:

• Getting available testing and care site info out to pubic and providers - ideas? Email to: njohnso2@health.nyc.gov
• We will send a survey out in early 2017 to solicit feedback on 2017 Hep C Task Force planning.