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Newsletter: Hepatitis

Hepatitis Happenings and Updates

NASTAD Updates

Upcoming NASTAD-led Work Group Calls 

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April 2025 Workgroup Calls

  • Outbreak Detection Planning Workgroup: April 15, 2025 | Registration
  • Telehealth Workgroup: April 17, 2025 | Registration
  • Tribal/State Viral Hepatitis Collaboration Workgroup: April 24, 2025 | Registration
  • Hepatitis C DIS/Linkage to Care Workgroup: April 29, 2025 | Registration

Bimonthly Hepatitis Workgroup Calls

Bimonthly call to discuss recent hepatitis updates for health departments implementing viral hepatitis activities in their jurisdiction regardless of funding source. Each meeting includes updates on hepatitis advocacy and policy, and drug user health. Participants are encouraged to send in Hot Topics for discussion to hepatitis@nastad.org prior to the meeting. For meeting link, please email Zakiya Grubbs (zgrubbs@nastad.org) or Isabel Lechuga (rlechuga@nastad.org).

  • Schedule: Bimonthly calls every second Tuesday from 3 - 4 PM ET
  • Upcoming dates: May 13, July 8, September 9, November 13, 2025
  • Intended audience: Closed to health department staff implementing viral hepatitis activities.

Newer Hepatitis Staff Calls

These calls are open to all new (or newish) hepatitis health department staff who started their roles and are interested in networking and learning more about what their peers are working on their respective jurisdictions. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet-and-greet others and familiarize themselves with NASTAD’s Newer Hepatitis Staff Toolkit. This workgroup is facilitated by HepTAC Advisory Committee member Chloé Manchester.

Telehealth Workgroup (new!)

To support viral hepatitis programs in sharing best practices in implementing a telehealth program within their jurisdiction. This workgroup is facilitated by HepTAC Advisory Committee member Heath Johnson (IA).

  • Schedule: Quarterly calls from 3 - 4 PM ET
  • Upcoming dates: April 17, May 15, May 29, June 12, July 17, Jul 31, 2025
  • Intended audience: Health department staff seeking to or currently implementing a telehealth HCV treatment program through the health department or in collaboration with other healthcare providers.
  • Registration: https://nastad.zoom.us/meeting/register/7GPej_FlRquEF0wjHgj4Sg

Corrections Workgroup (new!)

To support jurisdictions in developing and fostering relationships with correctional partners to support outbreak response, increasing testing and access to hepatitis treatment; and to develop a resource repository for HDs to strengthen their response to viral hepatitis activities with their correctional partners. Facilitated by Chanel Epps (MO), HepTAC Advisory Committee member.

Tribal/State Viral Hepatitis Collaboration Workgroup (new!)

The goal of this workgroup is to strengthen relationships between tribal nations and state health departments to support viral hepatitis elimination goals. Facilitated by Claire Erikson (ND), HepTAC Advisory Committee member.

Hepatitis C DIS/Linkage to Care Workgroup

This workgroup, led by Amelia Salmanson (UT), HepTAC Advisory Committee member, is a space to share best practices and learn from other jurisdictions about disease intervention specialists (DIS), linkage to care, and patient navigation. We will also be using this workgroup to discuss enhancing viral hepatitis case investigations/DIS.

Rural/Low Morbidity Workgroup

To support viral hepatitis programs in addressing the unique challenges related to rurality, limited resources, and low morbidity. This workgroup is facilitated by HepTAC Advisory Committee members Chloe Manchester (ME) and Claire Erikson (ND).

  • Schedule: Quarterly calls from 3 - 4 PM ET
  • Upcoming dates: June 19, September 11, 2025
  • Intended audience: Viral hepatitis health department staff that serve mostly rural populations and have resource and capacity limitations to providing services.
  • Registration: https://nastad.zoom.us/meeting/register/9gdgl0u4Qm-KTVYwEZuxng

Perinatal Surveillance and Case Management Workgroup

For jurisdictions looking to start or have previously established a perinatal hepatitis surveillance and case management program, this space is for sharing challenges and breakthroughs. Discussion topics include identifying cases within existing surveillance, developing a registry, infant follow-up testing and case management, and provider outreach. This workgroup is facilitated by HepTAC Advisory Committee member Heather Wingate (TN).

Outbreak Detection Planning Work Group

Collaborative space for jurisdictions to discuss developing and implementing an outbreak response plan for Hepatitis A, B, and C. Jurisdictions can share best practices and outbreak response activities, including monitoring surveillance data to identify outbreaks. Facilitated by Justinian Wurtzel (IA), HepTAC Advisory Committee member.

  • Schedule: Quarterly calls
  • Upcoming dates: April 15, June 17, July 15, 2025
  • Intended audience: Health department prevention and surveillance staff working on developing and implementing an outbreak response plan as a part of PS 21-2103 Component 1 grant activities.
  • Registration: https://nastad.zoom.us/meeting/register/6x6Br6PeR02WC3FnI7HMaw

VLC Recordings/Upcoming Sessions

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The VLC is a virtual learning community and training series designed to support viral hepatitis health department staff implement the viral hepatitis prevention and surveillance activities set forth in CDC’s Integrated Viral Hepatitis Surveillance and Prevention Funding for Health Departments (CDC-RFA-PS21-2103) and is open to all state, territorial, and local health departments. 

We are excited to begin the VLC starting April 30, 2025 at 3 pm ET. The topic will be “Component 3 update: Expanding HCV testing and treatment in harm reduction settings,” with presentations by HepTAC Advisory Committee members, Emalie Huriaux (Washington State Department of Health) and Amelia Salmanson (Utah Department of Health and Human Services).

Register here.

Please visit the VLC microsite for more information and to watch recordings from previous VLC sessions.

Hepatitis Policy Updates 

Budget Reconciliation and FY2026 Appropriations

Senate Republicans are working to sidestep policy disagreements with their House counterparts and kick-start Fiscal Year 2026 (FY2026) spending negotiations. On April 5, the Senate approved a budget resolution that would initiate the budget reconciliation process, a legislative procedure that enables Congress to pass a spending package via a simple majority. However, House Republicans have not coalesced behind the Senate’s spending strategy, potentially delaying budget reconciliation until bicameral policy and spending disagreements are resolved. Democrats will have limited opportunities to block the reconciliation package if the Republican caucus is able to build consensus for a single, identical bill in both chambers.

Additionally, on April 3, House Appropriations Committee (HAC) Chair Tom Cole (R-OK-04) released FY2026 programmatic guidance for the lower chamber’s appropriations subcommittees. The HAC will accept member spending requests through May 23, teeing up spending negotiations over the summer months. 

NASTAD will continue to monitor the congressional appropriations process and advocate for the highest possible funding for HIV, hepatitis, and drug user health programs.

NASTAD Condemns Mass Workforce Cuts at Federal Health Agencies

On April 1, HHS began implementation of its reduction in force (RIF) plan, which will eliminate about 10,000 jobs. HIV prevention services are heavily impacted by the RIF, putting decades of progress towards ending the HIV/AIDS epidemic at risk. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) faced some of the largest losses, significantly impacting its programmatic capacity. Entire branches in the National Center for HIV, Hepatitis, STDs, and Tuberculosis Prevention (NCHHSTP) were eliminated, putting everyone in the United States at risk for disease outbreaks and worsened health outcomes. NASTAD strongly condemns these cuts and urges Congress to step in and protect our nation’s public health safety net. The end of the HIV/AIDS and hepatitis epidemics in the United States is within sight, but these cuts are a huge step backwards and will harm the health of the American people and the American economy. Click here to read NASTAD’s full statement on the recent HHS actions.

HHS Ordered to Cut Contract Expenditures

In addition to the RIF and programmatic restructuring, HHS is expected to implement additional cuts by reducing contractual spending across all of its agencies and operating divisions. The Trump Administration is requiring HHS to reduce up to 35% of its contract expenditures, which could affect a range of federal functions, including research partnerships with universities, state and local programmatic support and grantmaking, and operational expenditures, such as office maintenance and procurement of specialized equipment. CDC must determine which contracts it will scale back or terminate by April 18.

Additional Updates 

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Hepatitis National Network for Education and Testing (HepNET)

Formed through a partnership between NASTAD, NVHR and NACCHO, the Hepatitis Network for Education and Testing (HepNET) is a collaborative initiative dedicated to advancing racial justice and health equity in viral hepatitis care, with a focus on people who use drugs. to become a member!  Members get access to HepNET's resource warehouse, webinars and events, invitations, technical assistance opportunities, and the chance to participate in HepNET's learning communities.

HepNET Leading with Lived Experience Webinar Series

Register today for the HepNET Leading with Lived Experience (LLE) webinar series taking place the first Wednesday of every month at 3 pm ET, starting on May 7, 2025, here. HepNET’s Leading with Lived Experience consultants are individuals trained to provide technical assistance and capacity building to the learning communities through the lens of their lived expertise with viral hepatitis.

The May 7 webinar will feature Dr. Catherine Chappell, Assistant Professor at the University of Pittsburgh in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, who is leading research that is currently focused on evaluating the efficacy and safety of direct-acting antivirals for hepatitis C treatment during pregnancy.

Global Hepatitis Summit Wrap-Up

NASTAD attended the 2025 North American Viral Hepatitis Elimination Summit and the Global Hepatitis Summit in Los Angeles from March 18-21. We were excited to see so many of you in attendance and would love to know how the things you learned at the summit will impact your work. Some universal themes from the meeting included:

  • Slow but steady progress towards hepatitis elimination worldwide
  • Test and treat models and the use of POC diagnostics in increasing linkage to care among people who use drugs
  • Impact of hepatitis B birth dose vaccination
  • Domestic and international challenges in the current funding landscape and a call for advocacy

The 2027 GHS will be held in Melbourne, Australia, but there will be many opportunities to convene virtually and move hepatitis work forward.

NASTAD 2025 Annual Meeting

Registration is open for the NASTAD 2025 Annual Meeting, which will be held at the Omni Shoreham Hotel, 2500 Calvert St NW Washington, DC 20008, May 18 – 21, 2025. Please use this link to book your hotel by April 14, 2025.

The official NASTAD membership meeting will begin on Sunday, May 18 at 3:00 PM (ET) and conclude on Wednesday, May 21 at 12:00 PM (ET). Additionally, we are excited to once again offer the pre-meeting, “New Member Orientation” for new members and first-time attending health department staff. This session will be held from 10:00 AM to 1:30 PM on Sunday, May 18. We strongly encourage new members to register and attend.

Please complete the online registration. Instructions regarding payment can be found on the online registration form. If you have any questions regarding registration or logistics for the meeting, please contact Meetings & Travel. Please contact Natalie Cramer if you have questions regarding the meeting agenda. 

NASTAD Membership Directory Update

We are updating our membership directory to include both viral hepatitis prevention and surveillance points of contact. Please provide the contact information for your jurisdiction here, and review the current directory here. Thank you!

Notepad with the words, "HOT TOPIC" written in black and underlined in yellow highlighter

Hot Topics: HepTAC TA Requests

We have received a few TA requests, and we are requesting your assistance:

  • Examples of MOUs for community partners to support renting/leasing the HCV RNA POC machine.
  • Protocols for public health nurses and/or pharmacists to initiate HCV treatment under standing orders for patients who meet simplified treatment criteria and who have no other risk factors

If you have any information on the above TA requests, please email hepatitis@nastad.org. Thank you!

Note: Our team aims to send out a monthly newsletter to streamline hepatitis communications. If you know someone who would benefit from signing up for the monthly newsletter, please click here.

Resources 

Fact Sheet: Harm Reduction Vending Machines: Considerations for Implementation

Harm reduction vending machines help reduce overdose deaths and promote better health and wellness for people experiencing homelessness who have substance use disorders or co-occurring disorders. This fact sheet introduces the evidence-based harm reduction vending machine model, explains how it supports overdose prevention strategies, outlines what supplies to include, and highlights key considerations for implementation.

New B Informed Training Hub Course: Preventing Mother to Child Transmission

This comprehensive course is designed to empower health care providers, advocates and community leaders with the tools and knowledge to prevent the transmission of hepatitis B from mothers to their newborns.

Upcoming Webinars, Meetings, & Events

Upcoming Webinars

STI testing and Treatment in Non-Clinical Settings | April 16, 2025 at 3 pm ET

Sexually transmitted infections like syphilis and HIV disproportionately impact people who use drugs and those with substance use disorders. Harm reduction settings, which work from a place of dignity and respect, have been shown to be important settings for providing both testing and treatment to those who may face barriers in accessing STI testing or treatment in typical clinical settings. Please join NACCHO on Wednesday, April 16th, at 3pm EDT/12PDT for presentations and discussion on providing STI and HIV testing and treatment in non-clinical settings reaching community members through harm reduction, providing testing alongside other valuable services in a community street-based setting. Register here.

Hep C Stigma: From the Clinic to the Streets | April 22, 2025 at 5 pm ET

Welcome to our Hepatitis C Stigma Webinar! Join us online as we discuss the impact of stigma on individuals living with Hepatitis C. Our providers will discuss how they work with patients from various populations and their experiences. Don't miss out on this informative session that aims to raise awareness and promote understanding. There will also be a Q&A session at the end to answer any questions you may have. Register here.

Archived Webinars

OraSure: A syndemic approach to syphilis, HIV and HCV rapid screening in clinics and outreach settings

Recurring Meetings   

CSTE Viral Hepatitis Subcommittee Meetings | First Thursday, every other month at 3 PM ET

The Viral Hepatitis Subcommittee holds regular conference calls and webinars to discuss current issues and overarching topics related to viral hepatitis surveillance, such as best practices and lessons learned across jurisdictions, policy around viral hepatitis surveillance, and analyzing viral hepatitis data. For more information, and how to become a member click here.

Conferences/Events (National & Local) 

INHSU Hepatitis C Intervention Symposia Series

In this free symposium series, you will learn practical strategies to enhance your HCV service delivery, including point-of-care testing, telehealth, integrated HCV care in Syringe Service Programs, peer support and care navigation, dried blood spot testing and more. Gain the tools to expand and elevate your HCV service delivery. This symposium is essential for professionals working with people who use drugs and committed to advancing HCV care. Register via the links above or reach out to info@inhsu.org with any questions.

2025 National Latinx Conference on HIV/HCV/ SUD

April 29 - May 1, 2025 | Las Vegas, NV

The NaLa Conference previously known as the National Latinx Conference on HIV/HCV/SUD aims to provide Healthcare and Social Service Providers with innovative concepts, best practices, and new information on how to better serve Latinx communities. Our workshops will cover a wide range of topics essential to all healthcare providers and practitioners who serve the Latinx community. The aim is to provide effective treatment and consultations with the overall goal of improving patient health outcomes. Our target audience are all practicing physicians, nurses and non-physicians which include case managers, social workers, community health workers, support staff, linkage specialists and administration. Register here.

APHL 2025 Annual Conference

May 5-8, 2025 | Portland, OR

The APHL 2025 Annual Conference will be held May 5-8, 2025, in Portland, OR. The conference is an event for the public health laboratory community, bringing together leaders, scientists, influencers and partners to share issues, trends and best practices driving laboratory science and public health today. Select sessions will be recorded and available for on-demand access after the conference. Additional information can be found here.

NASTAD 2025 Annual Meeting

May 18-21, 2025 | Washington, DC

Registration is open for the NASTAD 2025 Annual Meeting, which will be held at the Omni Shoreham Hotel, May 18 – 21, 2025. Please use this link to book your hotel by April 14, 2025. Registration can be found here.

CSTE 2025 Annual Conference

June 8-12, 2025 | Grand Rapids, MI

The CSTE Annual Conference connects more than 2,800 public health epidemiologists from across the country and will include workshops, plenary sessions with leaders in the field of public health, breakout sessions, discussion sessions, poster presentations, and more. Conference attendees meet and share their expertise in surveillance and epidemiology as well as best practices in a broad range of areas including informatics, infectious diseases, substance use, immunizations, environmental health, occupational health, chronic disease, injury control, and maternal and child health. Register here (early bird registration closes on April 17, 2025 at 11:59 PM).

NACCHO 360

July 14-18, 2025 | Anaheim, CA

NACCHO360 is the largest convening of local health department leaders and public health professionals in the United States, offering the opportunity to learn, network, and share experiences and best practices across local health departments. In 2025, the public health community will gather in Anaheim, California, July 14-18, to explore our conference theme, "Bright Lights, Bold Ideas: Shaping the Future of Public Health Practice.” Registration can be found here.

The 13th International Conference on Health and Hepatitis in Substance Users

October 14-17, 2025 | Cape Town, South Africa

Hosted by INHSU– the International Network on Health and Hepatitis in Substance Users – INHSU 2025 will welcome hundreds of attendees from across the globe, spanning sectors including harm reduction, infectious diseases, civil society, and drug policy. Registration information can be found here.

Jobs, Fellowships, and Funding Opportunities

Director of Programs- NVHR

The National Viral Hepatitis Roundtable (NVHR) is currently hiring a Director of Programs. More information about the position can be found here. To apply, send resumes and cover letters to resumes@hep.org. Applications are being accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Publications

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Newly Reported Chronic Hepatitis C Among Adults — Alaska, 2016–2023

Best practices for engaging with affected communities: chronic hepatitis B as a case study

Half of Medicaid Beneficiaries With Hep C Had at Least One Comorbidity 

Addressing Treatment Gap for People With HIV and Hepatitis C

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