NYC Department of Health & Mental Hygiene ~ Office of Viral Hepatitis Coordination

NYC Department of Health & Mental Hygiene ~ Office of Viral Hepatitis Coordination

November 2009 NYC Viral Hepatitis E-Newsletter

If you have trouble viewing this email, see it online: http://groups.google.com/group/nyc-hep-c-task-force

Contents ~ click to jump to….

Upcoming Events

NYC Viral Hepatitis Groups: Coalitions, Task Forces & Support Groups

News

New Resources: Articles, Trainings & Funding

NYC Viral Hepatitis Resources

Online Viral Hepatitis Information & Resources

Upcoming Events

* Public Forum on InSite & Supervised Injection Sites. November 9th (7PM). Tribeca Cinemas, Theatre 2, 54 Varick St , New York (212) 965-465. Liz Evans, Founder & ED of the non-profit that operates North America 's only Supervised Injection Site will be speaking about the program’s challenges and successes.
* Mental Health Issues & Hepatitis C: Working with HCV+ Drug Users. November 10, Manhattan .
* North General Hospital Hepatitis C Services Luncheon. November 10th (12 -1 PM) North General Hospital , 5th Floor Conference Room (right off elevator) 1879 Madison Ave Between 121st and 122nd Street . To RSVP contact: (212) 423-2314 elizabeth.cintron@ngsc.org.
* Hepatitis B Coalition Meeting. November 12th (3-5 PM). Korean Community Services ~ 149 West 24th Street , NY 10011 ~ 6th Floor.
* Future Direction in Chronic Hep B Treatment. Lecture by Dr. Ira Jacobson. November 12th (6 – 8 PM). 1305 York Ave , 2nd Floor Conference Room. Sandwich and Refreshment provided. Free. Registration required: www.simplyspeakinghbv.com [Click on “Event Registration ”Enter Event Code: 23920179 (Invitation code does not apply) Click on “Begin Registration”].
* Regional Medicare Workshop. November 13th (8:45 - 5). CMS Regional Office, 26 Federal Plaza, New York , New York , Room 38-110A. To register contact: Raquel Lugo (212) 616-2339 or raquel.lugo@cms.hhs.gov.
* American Cancer Society HBV Screening Event. November 15th, 4PM. Great Bible Commissions Church : 80-22 164 Street, Jamaica , NY 11432. Chinese workshop, followed by screenings. Registration required, contact: 718-886-8890 ext. 19.
* Grace Gratitude Buddhist Temple HBV/HCV Screening Event. November 15th 3- 7 PM. 48 E Broadway New York , NY 10002 . Screening provided through the Mount Sinai HONE Project.
* SafetyNETworking. A CMS event to inform NYC-based healthcare and social service organizations of the many Federal resources available to their clients. November 17th, 2009 (8:30-1) 26 Federal Plaza, 6th Floor Conference Center , NY .
* Harlem Hepatitis C Task Force Meeting. November 17th (2:30 - 4:30). Harlem Library ~ 9 West 124th Street , 10027.
* Integrating Neuroscience and Holistic Treatments: Implications for Practice with Clients who have Substance Use Disorders. November 20th (8:45-4:30). NYU School of Social Work - Kimmel Center for Student Life. 60 Washington Square South, NY 10003 . Contact: priany@nyu.edu (212) 998-5897.
* It's Time: Integrate Viral Hepatitis into Your Work. November 23 – 24. NYS DOH. NDRI, Manhattan .
* Viral Hepatitis: Who Should Get Tested? What does it Mean? Lecture by Maya Gambarin-Gelwan , MD. December 2nd (6:15 – 7:15 PM) Q&A following the seminar. Weill Greenberg Center , 1305 York Avenue , 2nd Floor. RSVP: Womenshealth@med.cornell.edu or 212-821-0971.
* Syringe Exchange & Law Enforcement Training. December 3rd Full day. Harm Reduction Coalition, NY.
* NYC Adult Immunization Coalition Quarterly Meeting. December 10th (10 - 12PM) 26 Federal Plaza, Room 38-110A, New York . Contact: tbaker2@health.nyc.gov
* HEP DART 2009: Frontiers in Drug Development for Viral Hepatitis. December 6-10. Hawaii .

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NYC Viral Hepatitis Groups

The NYC Viral Hepatitis B & C Groups provide an opportunity to get involved locally to create positive change with groups of people who care about viral hepatitis as much as you do.

Hepatitis B Coalition Meeting

November 12th (3-5 PM). Korean Community Services ~ 149 West 24th Street , New York , NY 10011 ~ 6th Floor

Topics: Policy & Advocacy, Website Launch, Resource Directory & HBV Program Descriptions.

Sign up for invitations to upcoming meetings



Hepatitis C Task Forces Meetings

View Task Force Meeting Notes & Activities Online

Harlem ~ November 17th (2:30 - 4:30). Harlem Library ~ 9 West 124th Street , 10027.

Bronx ~ December 10th (2:30 - 4:30). Lincoln Medical Center ~ 234 East 149th Street , 1st Floor Conference Center .

Brooklyn ~ December 14th (2:30 – 4:30). Brooklyn Library ~ Pacific Branch. Corner of 4th Ave & Pacific St .

Queens ~ Schedule and Location TBD

Sign up for invitations to upcoming meetings



Hepatitis B & C Patient Education & Support Groups

See Online Listing ~ Groups listed throughout five boroughs, as well as telephone groups.

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News

* Viral Hepatitis and Liver Cancer Control and Prevention Act of 2009 bill introduced in the US House of Representatives! Would increase federal spending to prevent and treat hepatitis B and C. This bill affects people at risk for and chronically infected with hepatitis B and C by expanding education for patients and health care providers, increasing access to hepatitis testing and liver cancer screening, improving the capacity of health departments to detect outbreaks, and supporting viral hepatitis prevention and education programs across the U.S.. Call to action from the National Viral Hepatitis Round Table:
o Call or email your U.S. House Representative’s office in Washington , DC to tell them you support this bill. Ask to speak to the staff person who handles health care issues. You might get their voicemail or you might reach this person directly. Even if you reach voice mail, leave your message.
o Sample call/email script: “My name is ____________ , I live in (city, state), and I care about viral hepatitis. Hepatitis is a serious health problem in the U.S. , in my District, and is a very important issue to me. I urge Representative _____________ to show leadership in the fight against hepatitis and liver cancer by cosponsoring Representative Honda and Dent’s Viral Hepatitis and Liver Cancer Control Act, H.R.3974. Thank you.”
o You can reach your Representative by calling the Capitol Switchboard at 1-202-224-3121 or email Representatives directly from http:/writerep.house.gov.
o If you don’t know who your Representative is, go to www.congress.org http://www.congress.org and enter your zip code in the upper right corner.
o If your representative is already a sponsor, thank him for his sponsorship and offer to provide your experience/expertise in this issue as needed.
o Use your social and professional networks to get more people like you to call their representatives! Forward this email widely!



* A Few Coffees a Day Keep Liver Disease at Bay: Study
* Developing Nations Still Behind on Infant Vaccination. Although more children are currently being vaccinated than ever before, nearly 20% of those born every year worldwide still don't get the complete schedule of immunizations required in their first year of life, researchers say.

* China to End Required Testing for Hepatitis B
* Survey: 30 Percent of China's Hepatitis B Patients Cannot Afford Long-Term Treatment.

§ In Treatment, You May Need an Advocate. Nearly all patients need an advocate to negotiate with medical professionals, insurers and others to ensure that they are receiving optimal care.

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Resources

Recent Articles

* 2006 – 2007 New York City Hepatitis A, B & C Surveillance Report.
* Prevalence of Hepatitis C Infection in New York City, 2004.
* Public health impact of antiviral therapy for hepatitis C in the United States.
* The Dawn of a New Era: Transforming our Domestic Response to Hepatitis B & C. Summit Summary. This was a multi-stakeholder national forum convened to develop a coordinated national response to chronic viral hepatitis through improved prevention, detection and patient care.
* Recommendations for Screening, Monitoring, and Referral of Pediatric Chronic Hepatitis B.
* Psychosocial Issues and Mental Health Treatment Recommendations for Patients with Hepatitis C.
* Coffee intake is associated with lower rates of liver disease progression in chronic hepatitis C.
* Risk of Developing Specific AIDS-Defining Illnesses in Patients Co-infected with HIV and Hepatitis C Virus With or Without Liver Cirrhosis.

Trainings

* Advanced Certificate Program IV: Bridging Cultural Differences to Improve HBV Treatment in Asian and Other Diverse Communities. Adrian Di Bisceglie, MD, FACP, and Robert Gish, MD, co-chair this free, yearlong program designed for a multidisciplinary audience. The robust curriculum features the very latest information on screening and current and emerging treatment strategies for HBV management, including new guidelines from the CDC, AASLD, and Keeffe. Participate today! Projects In Knowledge.
* Understanding and Implementing the AASLD’s 2009 Practice Guidelines on the Diagnosis, Management, and Treatment of Hepatitis C: An Update. (CME/CE). Multiple trainings available.
* 'MicroRNA' Predicts Liver Cancer Outcomes (CME/CE). A small segment of genetic material -- a so-called "microRNA" -- predicts survival and response to adjuvant interferon treatment in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma, researchers said.

§ ACG: HCV Drives Down Kidney Function (CME/CE). Hepatitis C infection almost doubles the risk of chronic kidney disease and significantly increases progression to end-stage renal disease, according to data reported here.

* Coffee Could Stall Liver Disease Progression (CME/CE). Drinking three or more cups of coffee daily lowers the risk of liver disease progression for patients with chronic hepatitis C, researchers say.
* AASLD: HCV Now an STD in New York (CME/CE). HIV-infected men in New York City are facing a new threat, researchers said here -- a new form of hepatitis C virus (HCV) that rapidly damages the liver and is transmitted primarily through sex with other men.
* ASN: HCV Changes Dialysis Treatment Needs (CME/CE). Patients on dialysis need less epoetin to treat their anemia if they are infected with hepatitis C (HCV), a researcher reported here. HCV-positive patients also needed a lower dose of IV iron than their noninfected counterparts…
* VOCAL’s POWER Trainings for Clients are available to Community Organizations serving current or former drug users. The 1-2 hour interactive trainings use the personal experiences of training participants to offer political education and advocacy skills building for clients. Participants will have the opportunity to become connected and involved in ongoing VOCAL advocacy campaigns related to experiences in their own lives. To request a training contact: Jeremy Saunders at jeremy@nycahn.org or 917 676-804.

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Funding

* New Technologies for Liver Disease SBIR (R43/R44). Due December 5th.
* Hoffmann-La Roche Funding Opportunities
* Research Grants for Studies of Hepatitis C in the Setting of Renal Disease
* Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Foundation Community Partnership Grants
* NYS Recovery Funding Handbook

Employment

* www.idealist.org

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NYC Viral Hepatitis Resources ~ View Online

Patient Info & Resources

Health & Medical Information, Social, Mental and Spiritual Support, Hepatitis B & C Support Groups & Treatment Support

Provider Info & Resources

In Person Education, Online Education & Information

NYC Department of Health & Mental Hygiene Resources: Surveillance, Hepatitis A & B Vaccine, Testing & Partner Notification & Special Services

Viral Hepatitis Related Issues Resources

Mental Health Resources: Depression Screening tools, 24 hour mental health hotline & Support Groups

Harm Reduction & Recovery Resources: Syringe Exchange, Safer Sex & Substance Abuse Treatment

Complementary & Alternative Medicine: Information & resources for learning about safe complementary & alternative treatments

Health Care Access: Public Health Insurance Information and application procedures, Health Care Access for people who are not eligible for ANY health insurance & Health care access assistance programs

Hepatitis B & C Advocacy Opportunities: Organizations that work on making things better for people with viral hepatitis

Legal Resources: Immigration, Disability & Substance use related legal resources & Public Health Friendly Law Enforcement

Funding & Employment: Funding sources for viral hepatitis program & Employment resources in the viral hepatitis field

Public Health Marketing and Media Resources: Affordable tools to create awareness

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Online Viral Hepatitis Information & Resources

American Liver Foundation (ALF)

American Cancer Society ~ Asian Initiatives

Asian Liver Center at Stanford University

B Free CEED: National Center of Excellence in the Elimination of Hepatitis B Disparities

Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) ~ Hepatitis

Social Determinants of Health

Center for Drug Use and HIV Research

Harm Reduction Coalition

HBV Advocate

HCV Advocate

Hepatitis B Foundation

Hepatitis C Information Central

Hepatitis Foundation International

Hepatitis Magazine

HEP Team NYC

HIVandHepatitis.com

Immunization Action Coalition

National AIDS Treatment Advocacy Project (NATAP)

National Viral Hepatitis Roundtable

National Institutes of Health – Viral Hepatitis

New York City Department of Health & Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) ~ Hepatitis

New York State Department of Health ~ Hepatitis

New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) Wellness Website – Hepatitis C

Office of Minority Health: Hepatitis

PubMed

Treatment Action Group (TAG)

Veterans Affairs - National Hepatitis C Program

World Hepatitis Alliance

World Health Organization~ Hepatitis

Hepatitis Outbreaks National Organization for Reform

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Nirah Johnson, LMSW ~ Community Projects Specialist

Office o Viral Hepatitis Coordination ~ NYC Department of Health & Mental Hygiene

125 Worth Street, Room 326. New York , NY 10013

(212) 341-0432 ~ njohnso2@health.nyc.gov

Office of Viral Hepatitis CoordinationWebsite ~ NYC Hepatitis C Task Force Resources & Services Map



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