Viral Hepatitis Updates from the HHS Office of HIV/AIDS and Infectious Disease Policy (OHAIDP)
HHS Viral Hepatitis Website Launch
As part of efforts to increase awareness of viral hepatitis in May, Hepatitis Awareness Month, OHAIDP launched a new, dedicated HHS viral hepatitis page at HHS.gov/hepatitis! This new website will enable OHAIDP to expand commitment to fostering partnerships and action in the fight against viral hepatitis. OHAIDP is continuing to add resources and content for and about viral hepatitis while working to amplify viral hepatitis updates, policies, and partners’ work. You are encouraged to visit the new website and check out recent blogs, learn more about viral hepatitis, and learn how to get involved. Be sure to check back often, as blogs, announcements, and resources are being continually updated.
White House Observance of National Hepatitis Testing Day
On May 19th, the White House hosted an observance of National Hepatitis Testing Day, co-sponsored by the White House Office of National AIDS Policy (ONAP) and the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP). The event featured Federal and community partner panel discussions, a Presidential proclamation recognizing National Hepatitis Testing Day 2016, as well as recognition of 12 organizations for their outstanding commitment to increasing the number of individuals who are aware of their hepatitis B and C status. Read more about the event on our blog.
Viral Hepatitis Community Action Webpage
Earlier this month, OHAIDP enhanced HHS.gov/hepatitis to include a new Viral Hepatitis Community Action page, highlighting opportunities and resources for all partners working to address viral hepatitis. As noted in the Viral Hepatitis Action Plan, “…success cannot be achieved by federal action alone and requires the support and commitment of a broad mix of nonfederal stakeholders from various sectors, both public and private.” This new webpage provides links to:
- The newly released report on the Community Response to Viral Hepatitis with over 70 examples of what partners are doing to address viral hepatitis across the nation,
- Webinars and meeting reports,
- Community partner blogs, and
- Resources to support and promote viral hepatitis work being done in communities across the country.
OHAIDP and the Viral Hepatitis Implementation Group are working to update the national Action Plan to describe goals, strategies, and efforts to be undertaken from 2017 to 2020. This update will respond to recent developments in policy, practice, and the epidemiology of viral hepatitis, and will include opportunities for participation and contribution by all partners in the fight against viral hepatitis. The updated plan will be released in October 2016 so stay tuned for more information soon.
Upcoming events
- CDC is hosting a Hepatitis C Diagnostic Summit on September 8-9, 2016 in Atlanta, GA.
- The American Association for the Study of Liver Disease (AASLD) sponsored Liver Meeting featuring the latest advances in viral hepatitis, liver cancer, and other topics in hepatology will take place on November 11-15, 2016 in Boston, MA.
Join the viral hepatitis conversation on Twitter. Follow us at @HHS_ViralHep and get the latest information on viral hepatitis.
