Thursday, November 21, 2024
11/21/2024
Background There are an estimated 90,000 people living with hepatitis C (HCV) in Arizona with documentation of nearly 10,000 new positive reports each year. Maricopa County has the greatest number of HCV reports per capita with over 50% of all positive reports deriving from labs in this region. People at risk for or living with HCV often experience limited availability of medical and support services and significant complexity of diagnosis and referral pathways. If HCV is left untreated it can lead to the development of chronic liver disease, which for some will result in end stage liver disease or liver cancer. There is no vaccine for HCV, but there are several medications, Direct Acting Antiviral’s (DAAs), to treat HCV that are highly effective and have a cure rate of greater than 95%. Component 1 Under this award, ADHS will collaborate with key jurisdictional stakeholders to establish a comprehensive and current viral hepatitis outbreak response plan which accounts for HAV, HBV, and HCV. ADHS will also improve the state’s hepatitis surveillance infrastructure and as a result, have the capacity to distinguish and de-duplicate chronic from acute cases of HCV, among other critical improvements to data collection and reporting. Component 2 To make critical strides towards eliminating viral hepatitis in Arizona, ADHS will install patient navigators in the most highly impacted settings across the state, linking previously disjointed and under-resourced providers in a robust network of coordinated care and ensuring that no person infected with viral hepatitis in the state is without the resources they need to reach and maintain sustained virologic response (SVR). ADHS will also increase the number of patients aware of their infection status by funding supplemental hepatitis testing and screening activities at clinics situated in these highly impacted regions. In addition to supporting increased viral hepatitis testing and funding vital patient navigation infrastructure, this award will allow ADHS to mobilize key stakeholders to form and sustain the Arizona Hepatitis C Elimination Advisory Group: a multifaceted and wide-reaching coalition of treatment specialists, advocates, and persons with lived experience that will steer and inform the activities executed under this award. Component 3 Under this award, ADHS will collaborate with key jurisdictional stakeholders to establish a comprehensive and current viral hepatitis outbreak response plan which accounts for HAV, HBV, and HCV. ADHS will also improve the state’s hepatitis surveillance infrastructure and as a result, have the capacity to distinguish and de-duplicate chronic from acute cases of HCV, among other critical improvements to data collection and reporting. Conclusion This project’s value proposition has inspired statewide grassroots support. Practitioners and advocates in the fields of viral hepatitis and substance use disorder, the wider liver health and behavioral health communities, and persons living with chronic HCV or affected by viral hepatitis are all poised and energized to participate in executing the proposed activities, knowing they will revolutionize Arizona’s capacity to serve people infected with viral hepatitis.
HHS’ Tracking Accountability in Government Grants System (TAGGS) website provides access to detailed descriptions of grants, loans, aggregated direct payments and other types of financial assistance awarded by the HHS Operating Divisions (OPDIVs) and the Office of the Secretary Staff Divisions (STAFFDIVs).
