Queensland treatment of hepatitis B and C not on track
The latest edition of the Viral Hepatitis Mapping Report highlights great progress has been made towards elimination, however Queensland is not on track to meet treatment and care targets for hepatitis B and hepatitis C.
Hepatitis Queensland CEO Dr Katelin Haynes says it’s clear that the message of treatment of cure is still not reaching all Queenslanders.
“We need to improve engagement in care by increasing testing and treatment, greater health promotion and supporting people with long term liver health challenges.
Key points from the report:
- 35% of people living with hepatitis C in Queensland have been treated since Direct Acting Anti-virals (DAAs) became available in 2016.
- Over 28,000 Queenslanders are still living with hepatitis C.
- 83% of Queenslanders with chronic hepatitis B are not receiving regular monitoring or treatment.
- In Northern Queensland PHN, treatment uptake for hepatitis B improved by 20%.
The report also highlights focused interventions in the Northern Territory have been successful in increasing hepatitis B monitoring rates. Hepatitis Queensland is aiming to replicate this success by deploying innovative programs to improve engagement in care at all levels.
In addition to expanding on the successful probation and parole project and medical practice support service, Hepatitis Queensland has partnered with the Institute for Urban Indigenous Health (IUIH) to deliver a new hepatitis B health promotion project for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. The project will deliver a clinical audit, workforce development and training, community engagement as well as new community resources.
Read the full report here
Explore how your suburb is performing here
Register to attend the digital launch event here
