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February 14, 2007
IAC'S HEPATITIS WEBSITE CELEBRATES SIX YEARS OF SHARING GOOD IDEAS!

IAC's hepatitis website, http://www.hepprograms.org, was launched in March 2001 as part of a cooperative agreement with CDC's Division of Viral Hepatitis. The site features programs successfully preventing hepatitis A, B, and/or C in individuals at risk of infection. The content is targeted toward public health and social service managers who might be able to use the information to start or improve hepatitis prevention programs.

Currently, the site highlights 90 programs in 10 risk categories.

The following programs have been added since the last article about the website in Hep Express.

B Informed Patient Conference
http://www.hepprograms.org/apia/apia12.asp

Carver County Minnesota's Hepatitis B Vaccination Program
http://www.hepprograms.org/juven/juven10.asp

Louisiana Department of Health, HCV Education for Inmates
http://www.hepprograms.org/adult/adult15.asp

National Viral Hepatitis Training Center
http://www.hepprograms.org/std/std18.asp

"Protect Yourself" Education and Immunization Outreach Project
http://www.hepprograms.org/msm/msm20.asp

Rhode Island Perinatal Hepatitis Prevention Program
http://www.hepprograms.org/other/other13.asp

STDateline
http://www.hepprograms.org/std/std20.asp

Stop Hepatitis Mobile Theatre/Viral Hepatitis Education Targeting Youth
http://www.hepprograms.org/juven/juven9.asp

Viral Hepatitis Prevention Program
http://www.hepprograms.org/other/other12.asp

The following projects have updated their program information:

BESTD Hepatitis Program
http://www.hepprograms.org/msm/msm6.asp

Community Health Care Van
http://www.hepprograms.org/drug/drug15.asp

Crossroads Rhode Island Viral Hepatitis Prevention Program
http://www.hepprograms.org/homeless/home5.asp

El Centro Del Barrio Health Care for the Homeless
http://www.hepprograms.org/homeless/home1.asp

Florida Department of Health, Hepatitis Prevention Program
http://www.hepprograms.org/drug/drug4.asp

Hawai'i Department of Health, STD/AIDS Prevention Branch
http://www.hepprograms.org/msm/msm18.asp

Hepatitis B Initiative
http://www.hepprograms.org/apia/apia8.asp

Minnesota Department of Health, Community Clinic Immunization Program
http://www.hepprograms.org/std/std5.asp

New Hampshire Family Planning Program
http://www.hepprograms.org/family/family2.asp

New Mexico Hepatitis Prevention Program
http://www.hepprograms.org/drug/drug10.asp

Next Stop Care Program
http://www.hepprograms.org/homeless/home6.asp

Northeast Indiana Counties HIV Prevention Program
http://www.hepprograms.org/std/std14.asp

State of Connecticut Immunization Program
http://www.hepprograms.org/juven/juven1.asp

In addition to the program descriptions, the website also offers support group information, hepatitis A and hepatitis B FAQs, case histories, photos, and video clips.

As always, we need your input! If you have a model program to share, go to: http://www.hepprograms.org/tellus.htm If you know of additional HBV or HCV support groups, have viral hepatitis resources to share (including brochures, manuals, slide sets, photos, or videos), write admin@hepprograms.org
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(2 of 10)
February 14, 2007
IAC REVISES ITS ONLINE ASK THE EXPERTS INFORMATION ON HEPATITIS A VACCINE AND GENERAL VACCINE QUESTIONS

[The following is cross posted from the Immunization Action Coalition's "IAC EXPRESS" electronic newsletter, 1/16/07.]

The IAC website recently posted updated Ask the Experts information on hepatitis A disease and vaccine and general vaccine questions. IAC extends thanks to the following hepatitis and immunization experts for reviewing and revising these Ask the Experts web pages to reflect the most current information: Eric E. Mast, MD, MPH, chief, Prevention Branch, and Joanna Buffington, MD, MPH, medical epidemiologist; both are with CDC's Division of Viral Hepatitis, National Center for HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention; Andrew T. Kroger, MD, MPH, medical officer, and William L. Atkinson, MD, MPH, medical epidemiologist; both are with CDC's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases; and Linda A. Moyer, RN, consultant to the Immunization Action Coalition.

To access the hepatitis A vaccine Ask the Experts, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p2021a.htm
To access the general vaccine Ask the Experts, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p2021f.htm

All IAC's online Ask the Experts sections have recently been updated. To access the Ask the Experts table of contents for all vaccines, go to: http://www.immunize.org/askexperts Be sure to visit this web section often.
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(3 of 10)
February 14, 2007
UPDATED: IAC REVISES THREE OF ITS EDUCATION MATERIALS

[The following is cross posted from the Immunization Action Coalition's "IAC EXPRESS" electronic newsletter, 1/29/07.]

IAC recently revised three of its education materials; CDC reviewed the revised materials for technical content. Following is a list of the updated materials; it explains the changes made and provides links to each.

Extensive changes were made to "Hepatitis A, B, and C: Learn the differences." Specifically, the section outlining who is eligible to receive the vaccines that protect against infection from the hepatitis A and hepatitis B viruses was expanded to reflect changes recently made to the ACIP recommendations for protecting against these diseases.

To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version of the revised material, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p4075abc.pdf

"Hepatitis B Facts: Testing and vaccination" was updated to reflect changes made to ACIP's recommendations that expand the definition of who is eligible to receive hepatitis B vaccine.

To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version of the revised material, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p2110.pdf

The patient-education piece "If You Have HIV Infection, Which Vaccinations Do You Need?" now includes information on the newly licensed vaccines that protect against infection from the human papillomavirus (HPV) and from shingles.

To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version of the revised material, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p4041hiv.pdf
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February 14, 2007
CDC OFFERS EMAIL UPDATE SERVICE FOR MANY CDC WEB PAGES

[The following is cross posted from the Immunization Action Coalition's "IAC EXPRESS" electronic newsletter, 2/5/07.]

CDC has recently added Email Update Service to many CDC web pages. Visitors to the CDC website can sign up to receive email update notifications by clicking on one of the many "Get Email Updates" links throughout the website, entering their email address, and selecting topics they are interested in. Email updates are sent to the subscribers when a web page is updated.

You can sign up for specific page updates in two ways:

1. Go to http://www.cdc.gov/emailupdates, click on "Get Email Updates," and follow the directions provided. You will be given a choice of categories (e.g., Vaccines and Immunizations, Sexually Transmitted Diseases). Choose your topics of interest, and you will automatically receive updates for all related pages. For example, there are dozens of immunization-related pages, including ones related to VISs, schedules, ACIP recommendations, statistics, registries, news, and more.

2. Alternatively, you can click on the "Get Email Update" link on any CDC web page that offers that choice. Again, follow directions, and you will receive updates for that particular page.

There are more than 200 items now available for subscription on the CDC website, with more being added in the near future.
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February 14, 2007
HEPATITIS B FOUNDATION'S B CONNECTED NEWSLETTER PROVIDES INFORMATION ABOUT LIVING WELL WITH HEPATITIS

The Hepatitis B Foundation (HBF) offers a patient-focused newsletter titled B Connected, developed in response to feedback from the HBF Patient Conferences. Many patients and their families expressed a need for better understanding of the basic HBV facts, treatments and terminology, as well as useful tips for developing a healthier lifestyle for living well with chronic hepatitis B.

To subscribe, or to read back issues online, go to:
http://www.hepb.org/resources/b_connected_newsletter.htm

The HBF website, http://www.hepb.org, features many other resources including the "HBF Drug Watch," expert speakers' forum, patient learning guides, liver specialist directory, information on clinical trials, and much more.
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February 14, 2007
PKIDS' VIRTUAL CONNECTIONS ONLINE COMMUNITY SUPPORTS FAMILIES AFFECTED BY CHRONIC INFECTIOUS DISEASE

PKIDs (Parents of Kids with Infectious Diseases) is a national nonprofit organization serving families of children infected with chronic viral hepatitis and HIV/AIDS.

The PKIDS website includes a section called Virtual Connections that features a blog, a listserv discussion group for parents, live chat rooms, and a newsfeed service. Here, parents whose children have chronic hepatitis B, hepatitis C, HIV, and other infectious diseases can find support and exchange information in a confidential and respectful community.

In addition, PKIDS is in the process of developing online forums for children and teens, live chats with medical experts, and podcasts.

To access the Virtual Connections page, go to:
http://www.pkids.org/virtual_connections.php
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February 14, 2007
RHODE ISLAND EXPANDS ITS PERINATAL HEPATITIS B PREVENTION PROGRAM TO INCLUDE HEPATITIS C PREVENTION

The Rhode Island Perinatal Hepatitis Prevention Program recently expanded to include case management services for pregnant women and new mothers with the hepatitis C virus (HCV), as well as those with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. The program is a collaboration among the state department of health, Women & Infants Hospital's Center for Women's Gastrointestinal Disorders, and the Pediatric Liver Clinic at Hasbro Children's Hospital. Hepatitis C affects five million Americans, and 150–200 women infected with the virus give birth in Rhode Island each year. It is estimated that 3-7 percent of babies born to women who are HCV positive will be infected.

The goal of the program is to prevent all perinatal viral hepatitis infections in infants. Pregnant women and new mothers receive a home visit from a nurse case manager at no cost to the family. The visit includes education about viral hepatitis, breastfeeding, nutrition, and information about community resources. In addition, care is coordinated for the women and their infants to ensure that infants born to women with HBV infection complete the hepatitis B vaccination series and recommended testing for immunity on a timely basis. Infants born to women with HCV infection are followed to ensure that recommended HCV testing is completed.

For further information, visit: http://www.health.ri.gov/family/immunization/perinatal-hep-prevention.php or call Patricia Raymond, RN, Rhode Island Hepatitis B Coordinator, at (401) 222-5921.
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February 14, 2007
NATIONAL VIRAL HEPATITIS TRAINING CENTER ANNOUNCES 2007 TRAINING DATES

The National Viral Hepatitis Training Center at the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) is funded by CDC to develop and provide training related to integrating viral hepatitis prevention into settings that serve people at high risk of infection.

"It's Time: Integrate viral hepatitis into your work" is a two-day training tailored for staff working in settings that serve people at high risk for viral hepatitis, including substance use programs, HIV/AIDS programs, correctional settings, and public health/STD clinics. The training provides individuals working in these settings with tools and skills to integrate hepatitis prevention, education, and counseling services into existing programs.

The center also offers a related Training of Trainers (TOT) program. Upon successful completion of the TOT, more than 70 agencies have been authorized to offer the "It's Time" training. Authorized training agencies can train their own staff and other providers in their region.

In 2007, the National Viral Hepatitis Training Center will offer the entire "It's Time" training and TOT in three locations:

Chicago, Illinois: April 2–5, 2007
Albany, New York: June 4-7, 2007
West coast training to be offered in September 2007

For more information on registering for a training or becoming an authorized training agency, please contact mag20@health.state.ny.us or visit the NYSDOH website at http://www.health.state.ny.us/diseases/aids/training/viralhepatitis.htm
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February 14, 2007
LIVERHOPE PROVIDES INFORMATION AND SUPPORT FOR PEOPLE WITH HEPATITIS

LiverHope is a nonprofit organization that provides support, promotes education, generates awareness, and advocates for quality medical care for all people with hepatitis in the Minneapolis and St. Paul area of Minnesota. Although the information on the organization's website is intended for Minnesota residents, much applies to people living in other areas. LiverHope also publishes a newsletter.

To visit the LiverHope website, go to: http://www.liverhope.com
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(10 of 10)
February 14, 2007
WASHINGTON STATE ASIAN PACIFIC ISLANDER HEPATITIS B TASK FORCE MEETING SET FOR MARCH 8

The Washington State Asian Pacific Islander Hepatitis B Task Force is sponsoring the Hepatitis B Annual Community Forum on March 8 in Seattle. For more information, contact Kim Nguyen at kimn@withinreachwa.org or call (206) 830-5156.