Integrated viral hepatitis surveillance and prevention funding for health departments - introduction - the colorado department of public health and environment (cdphe) has alongstanding history of…

Integrated viral hepatitis surveillance and prevention funding for health departments - introduction - the colorado department of public health and environment (cdphe) has alongstanding history of collaborating with the centers for disease control and prevention (CDC)and other funders to provide viral hepatitis (VH) programming in the state of colorado.nationally, there is a renewed movement encouraging strategies that ensure effective, comprehensive surveillance of VH, as well as plans for the virtual elimination of VH in themost-impacted communities.problem statements - hepatitis a (HAV) and hepatitis b (HBV) are fully preventable infectionsthanks to the advent of effective vaccinations. Hepatitis c (HCV) is treatable and curable viadirect acting antiviral (DAA) medications. While the aforementioned resources exist, HAV, HBV, and HCV continue to disproportionately affect priority populations in colorado, includingcommunities affected by other conditions and comorbidities, people of low socioeconomicstatus, people experiencing homelessess, people who are stigmatized and discriminated againstdue to substance use and mental health issues, people who have limited access to primary andspecialty healthcare, and people dually impacted by VH and the opioid crisis.components - enhancement of outbreak and surveillance activities: currently, cdphe haslimited resources to devote to outbreak monitoring/mitigation and consistent surveillanceactivities for VH. The provision of funding from PS21-2103 will allow cdphe the opportunityto bolster long-term surveillance and case investigation staffing to address this unmet need.furthermore, a comprehensive outbreak monitoring and mitigation plan will be able to bedeveloped and implemented. Enhancement of core VH prevention activities: cdphe plans toincrease the availability of VH testing and vaccination programs for priority populations, andcreate more seamless connections between community-based organizations andprimary/specialty care clinics providing curative treatment for HCV. Enhancement of vhacti vities for people who inject drugs (pwid): cdphe plans to enhance and increase access tosyringe services programs (SSP) for pwid throughout colorado, and provide mechanisms andengage in collaborative activities that promote comprehensive whole-person health programswithin ssps.anticipated results - enhancement of outbreak and surveillance activities: the anticipated resultsof this funded component will include more accurate and timely surveillance of VH, and morerapid response and mitigation of emerging outbreaks of VH in the state of colorado.enhancement of core VH prevention activities: the anticipated results of this funded componentwill include increased access to VH testing and prevention programming, increased vaccinationefforts for HAV and HBV, and increased access to curative treatment for HCV. Enhancement ofvh activities for pwid: the anticipated results of this funded component will include increasedknowledge of VH status among pwid, increased access to prevention programming for pwid, and increased access to vaccinations for HAV and HBV and curative treatment for HCV forpwid.conclusion - as stated above, implementing programming with funding from PS21-2103 willafford cdphe the opportunity to address primary prevention needs for people at risk ofcontracting or transmitting VH, and move the state of colorado closer to true elimination of VH.