Newsletters
Newsletter: Hepatitis

Hepatitis Happenings and Updates

Accepting Applications: NASTAD HepTAC 2.0 Mentorship Program

NASTAD’s Hepatitis Program is accepting applications for the NASTAD HepTAC 2.0 Mentorship Program. This program is focused on the field of viral hepatitis and will serve as a way for newer viral hepatitis staff in health departments, particularly those implemented PS21-2103 activities, to connect with NASTAD’s HepTAC 2.0 Advisory Committee members on an individual level. The mentoring program will consist of monthly scheduled calls for the duration of the 12-month program (August 2025-July 2026). Mentees will be matched with a mentor by NASTAD, keeping in mind the stated goals and objectives of the mentee and experience/background of the mentor.  

Mentors are...

  • HepTAC Health Department Advisory Committee Members with a broad range of experience in the field of viral hepatitis
  • Committed to open, honest, constructive, and professional collaboration 

Mentees are...

  • Working in the field of viral hepatitis, with a preference for PS21-2103 grantees
  • Able to commit to the full 3-months of the program (at least one hour per month)
  • Newer to their role (ideally have less than 2 years of experience in the current role)
  • Commitment to being open minded, sharing an experience, improving communication skills, increasing networking opportunities, strengthening professional skills, expanding one’s learning, and maintaining a good attitude  

Please submit applications here by June 30, 2025. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Isabel Lechuga at rlechuga@NASTAD.org. 

Cure Hepatitis C Act of 2025 Introduced

On June 4, 2025, Senators Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) introduced bipartisan legislation, the Cure Hepatitis C Act of 2025 to support the elimination of hepatitis C in the United States. The legislation would expand access to testing and treatment, strengthen public health infrastructure, and reach at-need populations through innovative care delivery models.

Notably, the legislation would implement a purchasing model to reduce costs and increase access to hepatitis C medications. This includes a subscription program that would include agreements with one or more drug manufacturers for the purchase of hepatitis C treatment distribution among registered pharmacies and registered sites of dispensing, participating state and local correctional systems, the Bureau of Prisons, and facilities of the Indian Health Service. In addition, the bill includes provisions aimed at addressing hepatitis B – including support for a point-of-care test and linkage to care. The legislation includes funding provisions for state and local health departments and would also empower state and local public health systems, community health centers, opioid treatment programs, and correctional facilities to build lasting infrastructure, scale up existing prevention programs, and integrate hepatitis C services into their work. 

NASTAD worked closely with community and Congressional partners to draft the bill and reach introduction. NASTAD will host an all-member call in the coming weeks to detail bill provisions and next steps. If you have any questions, please contact the PLA team.  

NASTAD Updates

Upcoming NASTAD-led Workgroup Calls 

HepTAC 2.0 Logo

June 2025 Workgroup Calls (You only need to register once for each workgroup. The Zoom link is for all calls. Workgroup slides and resources can be found on the Viral Hepatitis Community Platform SharePoint site. Additional information about the workgroups can be found after the break)

Telehealth Workgroup: June 12, 2025 | Registration

Outbreak Detection Planning Workgroup: June 17, 2025 | Registration

Perinatal Surveillance and Case Management Workgroup: June 26, 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: 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: 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: July date TBD, 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: 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

HepTAC 2.0 VLC Logo

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. 

The next VLC session will be held on June 18, 2025 at 3 pm ET. The topic will be “Outbreak detection and response in correctional settings,” with a presentation from Kailynn Mitchell from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services and moderated by Claire Erikson, HepTAC Advisory Committee member.

On June 25, 2025, we will hold the session titled “Overview: Hepatitis B and C lab result interpretation resource,” with presentations from Sarah New and Eman Addish, HepTAC Advisory Committee members, moderated by Heather Wingate, HepTAC Advisory Committee member.

Register here.

Please visit the VLC microsite for more information and to watch recordings from previous VLC sessions. Additionally, slides and resources are posted on the Viral Hepatitis Community Platform SharePoint. 

Hepatitis Policy Updates 

House Passes One Big Beautiful Bill Act

On May 22, the House of Representatives passed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1), a domestic budget and policy bill that advance many of President Trump’s priorities, including changes to tax law, boosted immigration enforcement and defense spending, and an increase to the debt ceiling. Republicans leveraged the budget reconciliation process to pass H.R. 1, a legislative procedure that fast-tracks budget bills by lowering the vote threshold to a simple majority vote, waiving the Senate’s ability to filibuster, and restricting some opportunities for the Senate to amend House-passed bill text. Notably, to achieve the deep spending cuts called for by the White House, H.R. 1 includes sprawling changes across federal agencies and programs. The health proposals in the bill contain controversial changes to the Medicaid program, including an $800 billion cut to core Medicaid and ACA funding, new eligibility requirements for some programs that would restrict access to coverage for millions, and targets access to care for vulnerable populations.

White House Releases Agency-Level Budget Details for FY2026  

On May 30, the Trump Administration released the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Budget in Brief, which provides agency-level and programmatic details on the Administration’s budget proposals for FY2026. The Budget in Brief proposes large cuts to health funding, including HIV prevention, and the creation of a new agency the Administration for Healthy America (AHA). Not all details on the budget proposal have been released, but the known proposals can be found below.

  • HHS Office of Infectious Disease and HIV/AIDS Policy - $8 m
    • The budget proposes $8 million for these activities at AHA.
  • Minority HIV/AIDS Fund 
    • The budget proposal eliminates the Secretary’s HIV/AIDS Fund.
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)  
    • Division of HIV Prevention
      • The budget proposes eliminating HIV prevention activities at CDC. This is a decrease of $793.7 million. This would impact funding for health departments, community-based organizations, and surveillance programs.
      • The budget proposes moving Ending the HIV Epidemic Initiative HIV prevention activities to the Administration for Healthy America.
      • Viral Hepatitis, Sexually Transmitted Infections, and Tuberculosis Prevention
        • The budget proposes $300 million for a consolidated grant program to address Viral Hepatitis, Sexually Transmitted Infections, and Tuberculosis Prevention. The purpose is to “reduce administrative inefficiency and allow for more coordinated approaches. Also, the budget will be used to enhance surveillance and improve disease outbreak detection.”
      • Opioid and Infectious Diseases
        • Funding for the Opioid and Infectious Diseases program has been eliminated in the budget proposal.
      • Center for Injury Prevention
        • The Center for Injury Prevention was moved to AHA and a cut in funding was proposed. The new AHA program will continue to support opioid overdose prevention and surveillance activities, but it is unclear what activities will be continued and at what level.
  • Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) 
    • Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program  
      • The budget proposes moving the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program to be housed within the newly created AHA.
      • The budget proposes eliminating Part F AETCs, Part F Dental, and Part F SPNS. The budget does not show a breakdown for the other parts, but based on the total funding proposed, we can assume all other parts, including Ending the HIV Epidemic funding, are flat funded in the proposal.
    • Bureau of Primary Care 
      • The President’s Budget Request includes funding for Ending the HIV Epidemic at the Primary Care section of AHA. It is unclear at what levels.
    • Title X Family Planning Program 
      • The Title X Family Planning Program is eliminated in the proposal.
    • 340B Drug Pricing Program
      • The budget proposes moving the 340B Drug Pricing Program oversight from HRSA to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
    • National Institutes of Health (NIH) 
      • The Budget proposes cutting NIH by $17 billion dollars.

It is important to note that this is a budget request and does not have the power of the law. Only Congress has the power to appropriate funds. NASTAD will be advocating for the highest possible funding levels for programs.

Matthew Buzzelli Named Acting CDC Director

On May 14, HHS Secretary RFK confirmed that Matthew Buzzelli is serving as the CDC Acting Director during the Senate HELP hearing on the Administration’s FY2026 budget request to Congress. Buzzelli is a lawyer by training and has limited public health experience. Prior to being named Acting Director, Buzzelli was the CDC Chief of Staff, where he served as a key contact to the White House for CDC matters. He replaces Susan Monarez, the current nominee to lead the CDC, who became ineligible to serve as Acting Administrator due to restrictions against cabinet nominees serving as interim agency leaders.

Additional Updates 

HepNet Logo

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. Click here 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, 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.

Please join us July 2 at 3 PM ET with special guest Dr. Chibuzo Enemchukwu who will speak on hepatitis C in the NYC Jail System.

The June webinar featured NASTAD Senior Director, Syndemic Approaches, Boatemaa Ntiri-Reid, JD, MPH, with insight on what it means to provide services using syndemic approaches.

HepNET Networking Happy Hour

Register today for our first HepNET Networking Happy Hour taking place Tuesday, June 24th at 3 pm ET Here

The HepNET Partner Team is pleased to present the first HepNET Networking Happy Hour! These quarterly network calls provide the HepNET network members a chance to, quite literally, network! Network members will get the chance to hear about the exciting work their network colleagues are providing, as well as grouping together regionally and programmatically to strengthen partnerships over the HepNET network.

Spotlight Members: Hep B United & IDEA Exchange Miami

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

Bridging the Gap: Lessons Learned from Integrating Sexually Transmitted Infection & Harm Reduction Services

A new NACCHO report, Bridging the Gap: Lessons Learned from Integrating Sexually Transmitted Infection and Harm Reduction Services, examines how coordinated service models can respond more effectively to the syndemic of STIs, HIV, viral hepatitis, and overdose in the United States. Between 2023 and 2024, NACCHO supported 10 organizations in evaluating strategies tailored to diverse community needs and resources. The report identifies common challenges, including fragmented funding, limited staff and space, and siloed data systems—while highlighting the transformative impact of coordinated care. Emphasizing strong partnerships, expanded access, and trust-building, the report provides practical recommendations and real-world examples for improving service delivery. Webinar and report can be found here.

HepVu Opioid and Hepatitis C Mortality Toolkit

Graphic Announcing HepVu Opioid and Hepatitis C Mortality Toolkit

HepVu has recently updated their opioid and hepatitis C mortality data for 2022. The data highlight key disparities across the United States and the syndemic relationship between opioid use and hepatitis C. Infographics and sample social media posts are available in the toolkit to share with partners and raise awareness. Resources can be found here.

Recommendations For Expanding Hepatitis B Screening and Prevention in Corrections

The Hepatitis B Foundation recently released a new white paper, Recommendations for Expanding Hepatitis B Screening and Prevention in Corrections, urging policymakers and public health leaders to implement stronger hepatitis B testing and prevention strategies in correctional facilities across the U.S.

The white paper offers four primary recommendations: 

  1. Provide adequate and sustainable funding specifically designated to support hepatitis B screening and vaccination in correctional settings,
  2. Support implementation of correctional health education programs that include hepatitis B awareness, prevention, and care navigation,
  3. Implement opt-out testing and vaccination programs to maximize reach and improve early detection and prevention, and
  4. Establish standardized federal and state correctional guidelines for managing hepatitis B and ensuring consistent care across facilities.

The full report can be found here.

Eliminating Hepatitis B From Day One: The Power of Hepatitis B Birth Dose Vaccination

In April 2025, the Coalition for Global Hepatitis Elimination hosted two webinars on birth dose hepatitis B immunization programs at state and local health departments and clinics. Findings and best practices from these convening were synthesized into the report found here.

Hepatitis C Online Launches HCV Test and Cure

A new 5-hour HCV Test and Cure fundamentals module helps health care providers develop core proficiency to screen, diagnose, treat, and assess for cure via five highly interactive lessons. Registered learners can earn free CME/CNE/CE, Certificates of Completion, and an optional HCV Test and Cure Training Certificate.  

Hepatitis C Online 4th Edition offers seven modules with 36 free CME/CNE/CE, 14 pharmacology CE for advanced practice nurses, and Certificates of Completion if CE isn’t needed. The website also features multiple clinical calculators and screening tools, an in-depth medications section, and an illustrated HCV Biology section.  National hepatitis C experts explore treatment complexities via mini-lectures and clinical challenges.

This project is funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Cooperative Agreement (CDC-RFA-PS21-2105) and developed by the University of Washington (UW) Infectious Diseases Education & Assessment (IDEA) Program. The IDEA Program also created and manages four online curricula about hepatitis B, STDs, HIV, and HIV PrEP.

Upcoming Webinars, Meetings, & Events

Bringing Hepatitis B, C, & D Screening to Communities in the United States | Jun 18, 2025 11 am ET

This webinar will feature clinicians and program managers from across the United States sharing innovative strategies to expand hepatitis B, C, and D screening in community settings. Presenters will highlight successful models of care, including mobile clinic outreach, integration with harm reduction services, and culturally tailored community engagement. The discussion will offer practical tools, policy insights, and real-world examples to improve access and advance equitable hepatitis testing and elimination efforts nationwide. Register here.

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)

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.

US Conference on HIV/AIDS

September 4-7, 2025 | Washington, DC

The 2025 U.S. Conference on HIV/AIDS will shine the light on people aging with HIV. It will be central to our program across plenaries, workshops, institutes, and other conference offerings, while also creating space for conversations about how aging with HIV affects each of us uniquely. Registration can be found here.

2025 Hepatitis B Community Forum

September 8, 2025 | Virtual and Berlin, Germany

The 2025 Hepatitis B Community Forum will be a hybrid event held on Sept. 8 in Berlin, just prior to the opening of the International HBV Meeting. This unique, free event brings together scientists, public health professionals and people living with hepatitis B and D to exchange knowledge, share lived experiences and strengthen collaboration in the fight against HBV. Register here.

INHSU Hepatitis C Intervention Symposia Series

October 3, 2025 | Phoenix, AZ | Registration

October 24, 2025 | Chicago, IL | Registration

November 7, 2025 | Washington, DC | Registration

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.

AATOD 2025 Conference: The Evolving Field of Opioid Treatment

October 4-8, 2025 | Philadelphia, PA

AATOD proudly presents the world’s premier training conference event for the treatment of Opioid Use Disorder. The AATOD Conference is the largest gathering of the opioid treatment community. This conference brings innovative people together in a diverse array of forums and workshops. Hot Topic Roundtable discussions, inspirational plenary sessions, tours of programs, and exhibit booths with the latest technologies, science, and products that support our work are just a few of the activities that surely stimulated participant discussion, debate, and innovative ideas to share with our respective areas of work, our communities, and our treatment programs nationwide. More information 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.

The Liver Meeting

November 7-11, 2025 | Washington, DC

Registration opens July 23, 2025. More information can be found here.

Publications

Simplified and integrated HCV testing and treatment algorithm for unhoused people who inject drugs

Hepatitis C Testing in the US Veterans Health Administration: Uptake of United States Preventive Services Taskforce Universal Hepatitis C Screening Guidance

A 2024 global report on national policy, programmes, and progress towards hepatitis B elimination: findings from 33 hepatitis elimination profiles

HIV and Hepatitis: US Mortality Rates Drop, But Disparities Remain

Approaches to Offering Hepatitis C Treatment at Syringe Services Programs in the United States: A Scoping Review

Special Issue: Advances in understanding and addressing health-related harms among people who use drugs

Related Teams
Hepatitis

Blog Posts