Integrated viral hepatitis surveillance and prevention funding for montana - as in many states, the management of viral hepatitis has been split across several public healthprograms

In montana, these include the immunization section which focuses on the vaccinepreventable forms of viral hepatitis and intervention in cases of perinatal hepatitis b, and thehiv/STD section which focuses on harm reduction in high-risk populations to curb the spread ofboth HIV and hepatitis c.montana dphhs proposes to use these funds to accomplish the principle goals of the viralhepatitis elimination program:a. Improve access to viral hepatitis testing in both the community health and primary caresectors, b. Advance systems of laboratory confirmation and reporting of acute cases of all forms ofviral hepatitis for public health follow-up, c. Educate providers and community health practitioners toward better patient/client managementamong at-risk populations through harm reduction and DE-stigmatization of marginalizedpopulations, d. Prevent the spread of hepatitis a and b through expanded vaccination efforts targeted toat-risk adults, e. Reduce long-term risk to montana?s homeless, pwid and young adult population by promotingeffective treatment for both substance use disorder (SUD) and cure for hepatitis c.current challenges that will be addressed in the first year under PS21-2103 will be the(1) completion of baseline assessments of laboratory and hospital system reporting and casemanagement capabilities; (2) planning/piloting implementation of more robust systems ofsurveillance and reporting, including both process (human) and technical (data management)enhancements; (3) coordinated viral hepatitis outbreak planning; (4) planning and initialdistribution of provider education focused on screening and treatment with a particularemphasis on hepatitis b and c; and (5) targeted service delivery to high-risk populationsthrough community-based organizations serving pwid and other risk groups(i.e., native american and asian populations).IT is clear is TH at dphhs must assure that montana?s efforts are managed in a complimentaryfashion and that the state?s laboratory and primary care systems are recruited to thedetection and management of patients with both acute and chronic forms of viral hepatitis