HIV prevention efforts represent an important opportunity for preventing hepatitis A, B, and C. An estimated 1.25 million Americans are chronically infected with hepatitis B. An estimated four million Americans are chronically infected with hepatitis C, while only five percent of this number are aware they have the virus. Approximately 30-40% of individuals with HIV are co-infected with hepatitis C. Many barriers exist for individuals seeking care for hepatitis. Hepatitis is still not recognized as a major concern in many communities and several programmatic needs exist including training, education, prevention, referral, diagnosis, and management services. There is limited guidance available to health departments and program planners on prevention and screening for hepatitis. Individuals with shared risk behaviors for HIV and hepatitis typically receive prevention and treatment services in disparate settings. Hepatitis prevention efforts should build upon what we know works in HIV prevention. Collaborative HIV and hepatitis prevention and treatment approaches will enhance service delivery and improve client health. This presentation will discuss the relationship between HIV and hepatitis including shared risk behaviors, identify prevention and program efforts needed to address co-infection issues, review a new hepatitis initiative led by the Center for Community-Based Health Strategies at AED, and propose strategies for including hepatitis prevention in HIV prevention efforts.
Learning Objectives: 1. Define the importance of hepatitis prevention to HIV prevention. 2. Identify opportunities for applying lessons learned from HIV to hepatitis prevention. 3. List program efforts needed to address co-infection issues
Keywords: Hepatitis C, HIV/AIDS
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.