The Hepatitis Education Project was started in 1993 by a group of patients and medical professionals who wanted to provide support and education to others living with chronic hepatitis. Starting as just a single support group, the Hepatitis Education Project formally incorporated in April 1994. From that initial group, HEP began helping other people start their own hepatitis support groups, providing them with technical assistance and support.
At the same time the support group meetings were starting, HEP began printing a newsletter, HEPNews. Copies of the newsletter were sent to patients and to physicians who specialized in gastroenterology and infectious diseases. From an initial mailing of 35 or 40 copies, the newsletter mailing grew to over 250 by the end of the first year. Today our quarterly newsletter goes out to about 4,000 people around the U.S.
In February of 2000, HEP opened one of the only Hepatitis Resource Centers in the country, a walk-in and telephone support center for hepatitis patients and family members. Staffed almost entirely by volunteers, this center has provided counseling and support to thousands of patients since it opened and continues to provide much needed help today.
Some of HEP's other programs include working with local, state and federal legislators and agencies to advocate on behalf of hepatitis patients; offering free rapid hepatitis C testing and vaccination for hepatitis A and B; medical case management; and conducting educational programs for public health, community groups and corrections of youth and adults
Mission
The Hepatitis Education Project is committed to providing support, education, advocacy and direct services for people affected by hepatitis and to helping raise hepatitis awareness among patients, medical providers and the general public.
Hepatitis and PWID/harm reduction
11:35 – 11:40
Chair: WHO – Intro and set the scene.
11:40 – 11:55
Co-chair: EMCDDA – Monitoring viral hepatitis elimination among PWID in Europe.
11:55 – 12:00
ID 29: Ema Pos (not yet registered)
Title: If the mountain won’t come to Mohammed: lessons from a decentralized Infectious Disease consultation.
12:05 – 12:10
ID 152: Brian Conway (Registered in person)
Title: Community Pop-up Clinic: Cascade of Care and HCV Treatment of Vancouver’s inner-city PWID Populations.
12:10 – 12:15
ID 212: Jasmine West (not yet registered)
Title: From lived experience to lived expertise: a syndemic approach.
12:15 – 12:20
ID: 299 Mercy Nyakowa (Registered in person)
Title: HCV and HBV prevalence and associated risk factors among people who inject drugs (PWIDs) in Kenya
12:20 – 12:25
ID: 133 Nalinikanta Rajkumar (Registered in person)
Title: Rapid regimen of HBV vaccination: Does it work for high risk groups?
12:25 – 12:30
Q&A and closing remarks
tHIS
IS
BEN’S
BIG
TEST
effective case finding strategies
Supported by Vir Biotechnology, Inc
During this session you will hear from hepatitis Delta expert, Dr. Maria Buti, and a patient who has lived with hepatitis Delta in a panel discussion moderated by Dr. Carey Hwang, Chief Medical Officer (interim) of Vir Biotechnology. This panel will inform perspectives on patient needs, opportunities for enhanced screening, and strengthening linkages to care.
Session Agenda
14:40 – 14:45
Panel overview and introductions facilitated by Dr Carey Hwang (Vir Biotechnology)
14:45 – 15:05
Panel discussion: Dr Maria Buti (University Hospital Vall d’Hebron, Spain), Milanka Barbosa, Dr Carey Hwang (Chief Medical Officer interim), Vir Biotechnology
15:05 – 15:10
Final remarks and close