Sunday, May 5, 2024
5/5/2024
In this application for CDC’s NOFO RFA-PS21-2103, Integrated Viral Hepatitis Surveillance & Prevention Funding for Health Departments, the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) requests $1 million to strengthen our integrated approach to viral hepatitis surveillance and prevention by leveraging partnerships and the power of collaboration. Washington has a hepatitis C elimination initiative, Hep C Free WA, prompted by Governor Inslee’s Directive of the Governor 18-13, “Eliminating Hepatitis C in Washington by 2030…,” on September 28, 2018. Hep C Free WA’s Plan to Eliminate Hepatitis C in Washington State by 2030 forms the basis for our approach, and proposal outcomes, strategies, and activities align with the Plan’s 15 goals. For Component 1 (Integrated Core Viral Hepatitis Response & Surveillance Activities), we propose to build upon our existing viral hepatitis surveillance infrastructure to expand and improve surveillance for acute viral hepatitis, perinatal hepatitis C virus (HCV), and chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) and HCV, including outbreak detection, investigation, and control. Specifically, we aim to: Develop, implement, and maintain a plan to rapidly detect and respond to outbreaks; Systematically collect, analyze, interpret, and disseminate data to characterize trends and implement public health interventions for hepatitis A, acute HBV, and acute and chronic HCV; and Systematically collect, analyze, interpret, and disseminate data to characterize trends and implement public health interventions for chronic HBV and perinatal HCV. For Component 2 (Core Viral Hepatitis Prevention Activities), we propose to prioritize, in collaboration with Hep C Free WA partners, the recommendations in the state’s plan to eliminate HCV, and develop implementation plans based on that prioritization, with a focus on maximizing access to testing, treatment, and prevention services (including integrating other infectious disease testing, HAV/HBV vaccination, SSPs or syringe service programs, and medication for opioid use disorder), in health care systems and in high-impact settings serving people who inject drugs (PWID). Specifically, we aim to: Support viral hepatitis elimination planning and surveillance and maximize access to treatment and prevention; Increase access to HCV testing and referral to care in high-impact settings; and Support syringe service programs. For Component 3 (Special Project for Prevention, Diagnosis, and Treatment Related to the Infectious Disease Consequences of Drug Use), DOH proposes a collaboration with three agencies in our most populous county, King. The agencies include the local health jurisdiction, Public Health Seattle-King County, and two community-based organizations, Hepatitis Education Project and People’s Harm Reduction Alliance, all of which have expertise working with PWID, providing SSPs and low-barrier access to buprenorphine, among other services. All three agencies are Hep C Free WA partners and maintain contracts in good standing with DOH. This collaboration will improve access to services for PWID in settings disproportionately affected by drug use and implement prevention services and interventions to addresses emerging issues related to drug use. Specifically, it will serve PWID seeking services at SSPs, including addressing the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of HBV and HCV, HIV, and bacterial and fungal infectious diseases, as well as reducing overdose deaths and linking people to treatment for substance use disorder.
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).
