The new wave is here. Now that effective hepatitis C treatments are available, there is a global movement to end hepatitis C with surging political will.
It is a United Nations Sustainable Development Goal to save 10 million lives by 2030 through effective hepatitis C treatment. The BC Government, in March 2018, made treatment accessible to any British Columbian living with chronic hepatitis C.
Now, we need your help. The BC-CfE’s Viral Hepatitis Research Program aims to monitor and evaluate the hepatitis C epidemic in BC. We have made huge advances against HIV. By expanding access to knowledge through research and to treatment through Treatment as Prevention¨, we can now apply these strategies to ending another public health threat through Targeted Disease Elimination. Focusing largely on the intersections between hepatitis C, HIV and harm reduction, the BC-CfE is developing evidence-based research to inform health policy.
Through the BC-CfE’s Per-SVR Study (pronounced “Persevere!”), we are aiming to better understand if, how and when hepatitis C reinfection may occur – especially among marginalized populations such as individuals who inject drugs, men who have sex with men and people involved in sex work. Per-SVR is recruiting participants in a multi-year study to learn more about the experiences of people who have been treated with the new “DAA” or direct acting antiretroviral hepatitis C medications.
Physicians and other health care providers can help move British Columbia towards the goal of Targeted Disease Elimination¨ of hepatitis C.Share the word about Per-SVR by displaying a poster, sharing a postcard and talking about it. By introducing patients to treatment and to the study, you will contribute to advancing research and eliminating a public health threat.
Reach out to Caroline Dobuzinskis at cdobuzin@bccfe.ca for more information and promotional materials.
Watch the video below to learn more about Per-SVR and how it is moving to address the spread of hepatitis C.