World Hepatitis Day: ADHS to focus on 'C' variant in major awareness drive

Phoenix, Arizona: Sunday, July 28 is World Hepatitis Day. The Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) Office of HIV and Hepatitis C Services (OHHS) is encouraging citizens to get tested for hepatitis.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that all people ages 18 and older get tested for hepatitis B and hepatitis C at least once in their lifetimes and that all pregnant people get tested at least once each pregnancy. 

ADHS is laying emphasis this year on Hepatitis C. Hepatitis C remains a leading cause of chronic liver disease in the US. With a focus on reducing new infections, particularly among people who inject drugs (PWID), the CDC has set goals to decrease the rate of new hepatitis C infections through harm reduction programs and improved access to direct-acting antivirals (DAAs).

In 2021, 42 states reported 5,023 acute cases of Hep C, which is an estimated 69,800 infections. The rate of acute hepatitis C has doubled since 2014 and continued to increase in 2021. In 2022, 46 states and the District of Columbia reported 4,848 acute cases, and the rate decreased by 6.3% from 2021 to 2022.

ADHS is continuing to work to reduce hepatitis throughout the state. In addition to the ongoing efforts detailed in the Arizona Hepatitis C Elimination Plan, OHHS was awarded the Relink: Grants to link Diagnosed, but Untreated HCV Positive People to Care in the United States in the fall of 2023.

As part of the grant, OHHS is working to identify patients who might benefit from re-engagement calls for Hepatitis C treatment through its two patient navigators working to link patients to Hepatitis C treatment. This project will expand the scope of their efforts by adding referrals for patients who would benefit from a re-engagement attempt from a patient navigator.