Improving Hepatitis B and C Care Cascades: Focus on Increased Testing and Diagnosis

This Supplement supports state and local health departments that are currently funded recipients of “Improving Hepatitis B and C Care Cascades; Focus on Increased Testing and Diagnosis (CDC-RFA-PS17-1702)” to collaborate with partner organizations that are within designated high burden areas to conduct hepatitis B and hepatitis C testing and linkage to care in high-impact settings.The Supplement goal is to increase testing, diagnosis, and linkage to care for HBV and HCV infections among Person Who Inject Drugs (PWIDs). Activities will be focused in designated high burden areas within the applicant’s jurisdiction. Services will be provided in high impact settings in order to find PWID at increased risk for HBV or HCV infection from non-sterile injection. Activities will be implemented through local partnerships of organizations serving PWID and providing testing and linkage to care services. This program addresses the “Healthy People 2020” focus area of immunization and infectious diseases and aligns with the HHS 2017-2020 Viral Hepatitis Action Plan.Recipients are expected to achieve the following targets by the end of the project period:Diagnose HCV infection in PWID at a rate of 772 diagnoses per 100,000 population.Link 85% of those diagnosed with HBV infection or current HCV infection to appropriate medical care.The short-term outcomes will contribute to the following long-term outcomes:Increased treatment among those diagnosed with HCV infectionIncreased linkage of PWID to substance abuse treatment, SSPs, and other prevention servicesReduced transmission of HBV and HCV among PWIDReduced HBV and HCV-associated morbidity and mortalityThe Supplement supports local partnerships to implement the activities in high-impact settings within high burden areas of the jurisdiction through collaboration of organizations that, together, demonstrate:Specialized experience and capacity for reaching PWIDAbility to perform screening and diagnostic testing for HBV and HCV infectionsEstablished partnerships to link PWID diagnosed with HBV and HCV infection to appropriate careEstablished partnerships to link or refer PWID to appropriate prevention servicesUse of data systems to track testing, test results, status of linkages, and report cases of HBV and HCV infection to the appropriate health department in accordance with applicable requirementsAward Information Approximately 7 awards. Award Ceiling - none Award Floor - none