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Learning Objective:
By the end of the presentation participants will be able to:
• Understand the rationale for developing integrated viral hepatitis prevention programs;
• Describe the role of the hepatitis C coordinator in health departments;
• Identify successful strategies for developing collaborative viral hepatitis prevention programs; and
• Describe specific steps to consider when integrating programs.
Background:
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the integration of viral hepatitis prevention services (e.g., hepatitis C counseling and testing, hepatitis A and B vaccine) into existing public health programs serving high-risk adults, such as HIV, STD and communicable disease. To encourage service integration, CDC provides funding to forty-eight states, three cities and the District of Columbia for a hepatitis C coordinator, whose role is to work within public health to develop strong, collaborative viral hepatitis prevention programs. These hepatitis prevention programs vary considerably across states in their organization, resources and priorities, but all benefit and rely on the expertise, infrastructure and commitment of multiple public health partners.
Setting:
Public health departments
Population e.g. API Youth, MSM, IDU:
Adults at risk of viral hepatitis
Project Description:
This workshop will highlight three models of collaborative viral hepatitis prevention programs. New York State Department of Health, Hawai'i Department of Health and Iowa Department of Health will share their experience in building integrated hepatitis programs, including the challenges, barriers and strategies used to unify stakeholders in addressing this disease.
Results/Lessons Learned:
Key components to developing collaborative hepatitis health department programs include: 1) the existence of internal and/or external working groups; 2) the ability to identify opportunities for influence; 3) the existence of key opinion leaders; and 4) the importance of creativity and not letting lack of resources deter innovative programs.
See more of H5 - State-Wide Lessons in Integration
See more of The 2005 National Viral Hepatitis Prevention Conference