New York State Department of Health Announces Release of Hepatitis C Elimination Plan

Plan Outlines Five Key Areas to Eliminate Hepatitis C in New York State

The New York State Department of Health today released the New York State Hepatitis C Elimination Plan. These recommendations were developed by the Hepatitis C Elimination Task Force in collaboration with community-based organizations, health care providers, harm reduction specialists, social service providers and public health professionals.The Hepatitis C Elimination Plan focuses on five key areas to reach those most at-risk:

  • Prevention
  • Care and Treatment Access
  • Testing and Linkage to Care
  • Surveillance, Data and Metrics
  • Social Determinants

"New York State is proud of our efforts to bring hepatitis C care and treatment directly to the communities most in need,"Acting Executive Deputy Commissioner Kristin Proud said."We have seen for too long the pain that comes when preventable diseases like hepatitis C go unnoticed and untreated. Individuals who live with hepatitis C deserve the dignity of care and access to the services."

Hepatitis C is a curable, preventable public health threat most commonly spread by blood-to-blood contact. Fueled by the opioid epidemic, most new hepatitis C infections occur in individuals under age 40 who report injection drug use. If left untreated, hepatitis C can cause liver disease, liver failure, liver cancer and death. Anestimated 116,000 New Yorkers are currently living with hepatitis C.

The recommendations, originally developed in 2019, address barriers and inequitable access due to poverty, homelessness, transportation, stigmatization and criminalization. More information about the NYS Hepatitis C Elimination Plan can be found here.