This is a guest blog collaboration from the NYSDOH Bureau of Hepatitis Health Care and Epidemiology and the HCV Dashboard Team.
New York State (NYS) recognizes May as Hepatitis Awareness Month. Hepatitis Awareness Month offers a chance to increase awareness of viral hepatitis transmission, celebrate the millions who have been cured of hepatitis C, and help reduce the stigma that perpetuates this often over-looked epidemic.
A Public Health Crisis in New York and Beyond
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate that 2.2 million people in the U.S. are living with hepatitis C. In NYS outside of New York City, most new hepatitis C infections are found among young people under the age of 40. Injection drug use is the main driver of new infections. If left untreated, hepatitis C infection can lead to serious long-term health issues, including liver damage and cancer.
The Importance of Testing and Early Detection
Many people living with hepatitis C (HCV) don’t know they have it. Last year, the FDA approved the first of its kind point of care (POC) HCV diagnostic test. This testing has the potential to revolutionize HCV care by providing results within an hour and allowing treatment to begin the same day.
May 19th, Hepatitis Testing Day, is a day to encourage everyone—especially those at higher risk—to get tested. New York State and the CDC recommend all adults be tested for hepatitis C at least once, and pregnant people during each pregnancy. Find free hepatitis C rapid testing near you.
A Cure for Hepatitis C: Turning the Tide
While there is no vaccine for hepatitis C, the emergence of direct-acting antiviral medications has made it one of the most treatable chronic diseases, curing most people in just 8 to 12 weeks.
On May 21st, we celebrate Hepatitis C Cure Day, an occasion to honor those cured of hepatitis C, to raise awareness about the availability of curative treatment, and to encourage others to get treated. Find hepatitis C providers near you.
Addressing Barriers to Testing and Treatment Through Innovation
While hepatitis C is curable, gaps in testing and treatment access persist. A major barrier to care is the stigmatization of people who inject drugs. Structural challenges—such as homelessness, lack of transportation, and the criminalization of drug use—make it harder for those in need to access the care they deserve.
To eliminate hepatitis C, NYS is being innovative and prioritizing the needs of people who inject drugs and other at-risk populations. The new POC HCV diagnostic testing will be available in all NYS drug user health hubs. NYS also supports the co-location of hepatitis C treatment in high impact settings such as harm reduction programs and opioid treatment programs to eliminate the barriers to care people who use drugs face when accessing hepatitis C treatment in traditional health care settings.
Moving Forward, Leaving No One Behind
The New York State Hepatitis C Elimination Plan outlines a set of recommendations to eliminate hepatitis C by 2030 by addressing the inequities that sustain the epidemic. Learn about New York’s progress towards elimination during the 3rd Annual NYS Hepatitis C Elimination Progress Report Meeting on May 14th.
Hepatitis Awareness Month is both a celebration and a call to action. By reducing stigma, improving access to testing, and implementing innovative treatment strategies, we can make hepatitis C elimination a reality.
