Webinar: Accelerating hepatitis C elimination in the US
On Tuesday 25 June, the World Hepatitis Alliance (WHA) hosted a webinar to discuss scaling up efforts to achieve hepatitis C elimination in the US.
Co-chaired by Rachel Halford, President of WHA and Ronni Marks, Director of the Hepatitis C Mentor and Support Group, speakers included:
- Jordan Akerley, Strategic Director, End Hep C SF
- Dylan Moore, Director, VEN Centers
- Daniel Raymond, Director of Policy, National Viral Hepatitis Roundtable
- Dr Norah Terrault, Chief of Gastroenterology & Hepatology at Keck Medical Center, University of Southern California
The webinar was convened following the introduction of the Cure Hepatitis C Act in Congress, which proposes a 5-year programme to accelerate hepatitis C diagnosis and treatment. The bill has been introduced as hepatitis C treatment rates have stabilised at levels below those necessary to achieve WHO elimination goals, with many innovations not reaching the 2.2 million Americans living with hepatitis C. The webinar explored challenges facing the bill and next steps to build support in Congress.
A key innovation that has the potential to improve access to testing for many is point-of-care testing. The updated AASLD guidelines for hepatitis C testing were presented, which incorporate this as a critical component of a simplified testing algorithm. Speakers also highlighted how the point-of-care testing was being used in practice, through mobile screening clinics, to improve access.
During the event, there was an emphasis on addressing challenges with linkage to hepatitis C testing and treatment through working with people with lived experience and community-based organisations.
They can reach communities that are often underserved by health systems by co-creating solutions that are rooted in lived experience.
The webinar highlighted that while there are still many challenges to address, all stakeholders have a role to play in scaling up access to services to achieving hepatitis C elimination in the US.