1. Collaborations/Coordination
STD Programs
Immunization (Hepatitis B Coordinator)
Laboratory
Medical Services
Surveillance
Hepatitis C Coordinator
Advocacy Groups; CBOs
Corrections
HIV/AIDS
Prevention
Drug Treatment
State Plan

2. Hepatitis C Coordinator Forum: Barriers and Issues
Richard D Moyer, MPA
Division of Viral Hepatitis
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Hepatitis Coordinator’s Conference 2003
San Antonio, TX

3. FY FY FY
Richmond Conference- 2001
9 coordinators
San Antonio Conference-2003
38 coordinators- ELC
2- IHS, PHPS
10 coord- presenting

4. Hepatitis C Coordinator Funding- FY 2002
12 New States = $912,000
High Award = $97,000
Low Award = $53,000
Average = $76,000
Approx. 70 % of award = salary & fringe

5. Hepatitis C Coordinator’s Location
Program No
HIV/AIDS/STD
ID/Epidemiology
Comm. Disease
Other/unk
Total

6. National Hepatitis C Prevention Strategy: Goals
Reduce the number of new HCV infections by reducing virus transmission.
Reduce risk of chronic liver disease in HCV-infected persons through appropriate medical management and counseling.

7. Hepatitis C Coordinators
A major goal of National Hepatitis C Prevention Strategy.
Fund every state and large metropolitan health dept.
Provide management, networking, and technical expertise for integration of HCV prevention and control activities into existing public health programs.

8. Hepatitis C Coordinator Activities
Identify opportunities to incorporate HCV
counseling and testing  
Ensure that health care professionals receive appropriate training 
Develop capacity to provide HCV testing 
Identify sources for medical referral of HCV positive persons 
Ensure appropriate surveillance for HCV infection 
Evaluate effectiveness of HCV prevention activities

9. What’s Working? Partnering Enthusiasm
Coordination/Collaboration/Advocacy
Good working relationships
Dedicated Staff
Getting the message out

10. What’s Working? Getting on peoples’ agenda Administrative buy-in
Integrating hepatitis messages/practices into HIV/STD
Piggy-backing HCV Screening into existing programs

11. What’s Not Working?
Integrating activities that fall upon staff resources
Getting into the school system
Giving hepatitis C education /HCV tests in STD clinics
Not having money for testing
Not having resources identified for patients who need care
Lack of DIS participation

12. What are the Barriers? FUNDING Testing Treatment Staffing
Case Management
Vaccine

13. Administrative Issues
Funding
Staffing

14. Technical Assistance Needs
Internet access for rural areas
Train the Trainer Workshops
Assistance with program development and
implementation in corrections
Guidance on evaluating hepatitis prevention services and treatment
T.A. on how to deliver hepatitis education messages for differing audiences

15. Newsletter/Information Sharing
Newsletter would be helpful
List-serv

16. Other Issues/Recommendations/Suggestions
More collaboration for consolidating regional testing
Continued funding for adult vaccine is a must
Coordinators are struggling with limitations of not being a program
Integration of HCV counseling and testing into the perinatal program
BRFSS should clearly target HCV and associate risk factors for infection
Standardized (national) follow-up letter sent to clinicians/patients re risk behaviors, viral load, LFT’s

17. Conclusions Programs are taking shape
Making progress with implementing the hepatitis C prevention strategy
Coordinators are qualified and motivated
Leveraging support (e.g., vaccines for high-risk populations
Networking is increasing