Viral Hepatitis Updates from the HHS Office of Infectious Disease and HIV/AIDS Policy

Dear Colleague, 

The COVID-19 pandemic has reinforced that our individual behaviors have a role in community- and population-level health outcomes. While we adapt to rapid change and new information at an almost daily pace, federal partners also continue to implement and promote tried and true preventive measures around other public health threats such as viral hepatitis. These include getting vaccinated for hepatitis A and B, and getting tested for hepatitis B and C. The importance of these practices is underscored in the recently released Healthy People 2030 infectious disease objectives, national objectives to help keep us, the nation, on track to reach viral hepatitis elimination. 

Additionally, all of us can continue to educate ourselves and our networks to stay informed and forward-thinking. CDC released its 2018 Viral Hepatitis Surveillance Report this summer, enabling us to understand viral hepatitis trends in the nation. The surveillance data can be used to inform development of responsive policies and comprehensive prevention and treatment approaches. Our CDC partners also recently published updated recommendations for hepatitis A immunization practices. 

We know that the presence of COVID-19 has not decreased the health needs of those already living with chronic diseases like hepatitis C and HIV. To support providing optimal care, HRSA recently produced multiple resources and activities to address hepatitis C and HIV co-infection among people of color in the United States, and shared the Hepatitis C Prescriber Toolkit . This resource provides one-stop, state-specific guidance for providers who are navigating health coverage requirements for their patients living with hepatitis C. The July-August 2020 supplemental issue of Public Health Reports, the official journal of the Office of the U.S. Surgeon General and the U.S. Public Health Service, focused on using public health policy to reduce the morbidity, mortality, and incidence of HIV, viral hepatitis, STDs and TB. This recent issue included an article from Surgeon General Jerome M. Adams, Making the Case for Syringe Services Programs.

As we move forward with this work in a changing landscape, we will continue to provide resources and information critical to ensure you have the information you need to serve your communities.

Thank you,

Carol S. Jimenez
Deputy Director for Strategic Initiatives
Office of Infectious Disease and HIV/AIDS Policy (OIDP)
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services