World Hepatitis Day 2024: Is your practice ready for hepatitis elimination?
With World Hepatitis Day on Sunday, 28th July 2024, the spotlight is on reaching almost 300,000 people in Australia living with hepatitis B and hepatitis C who are at increased risk of liver disease and liver cancer.
Hepatitis B has effective treatment and a vaccine, and hepatitis C has a cure and is preventable. Despite these advances, three-quarters of people living with hepatitis B are still not receiving regular medical care, and only 60% of the people living with hepatitis C have initiated direct-acting antiviral cures.
Improve rates of hepatitis testing, treatment and care in your practice
Practices can do their part to eliminate hepatitis as a public health threat by:
- identifying patients that may be living with hepatitis B or C
- testing and treating hepatitis C
- providing regular care for people living with hepatitis B (in consultation with a specialist if required).
Support for your practice
Hepatitis Queensland offers education, resources, and support for primary health providers and non-clinical staff. Its Outreach Nurse and experienced team can provide patient resources, deliver one-on-one education for your entire practice, and help your team confidently manage patients living with viral hepatitis. Contact 07 3846 0020 for more information.
Clinical education and support are also available through ASHM, the peak professional body representing healthcare professionals in HIV, viral hepatitis and sexually transmissible infections.
More resources and support
- Decision Making In Hepatitis B is a 2-page resource supporting clinical decision-making in hepatitis B, including who to test, how to test and interpret serology, how to conduct initial assessment, and how to conduct ongoing monitoring. It also provides an overview of the natural history of chronic hepatitis B, which can be used when making decisions about management and treatment.
- Decision Making in Hepatitis C is a 2-page guide designed to support general practitioners (GPs), nurse practitioners, and other primary care providers in effectively managing hepatitis C. This resource provides a concise yet comprehensive overview of the diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of hepatitis C, empowering healthcare professionals to deliver optimal care to their patients.
- www.hepcantwait.org.au is the official World Hepatitis Day webpage from Hepatitis Queensland. It provides helpful information about viral hepatitis and an online quiz to help patients determine whether they need to be tested for hepatitis B or C.
