Tag: Hepatitis C | Page 2

Visual voice: Incorporating story with wellness

August 15, 2023 • By Kate Dunn

“We know the hepatitis C virus is a silent, often sneaky virus that wreaks havoc in the liver, is detectable through screening and is cured through oral medication in a matter of weeks. But our rates are rising because there is no personal engagement. We need culturally connected awareness resources to make an impact.” -Indigenous Knowledge Keeper While collaborating with an Indigenous community in Alberta to streamline hepatitis C pathways to care, I had the opportunity to take part in the co-creation of a culturally connected liver health awareness film. I was inspired to action when this resource was...

The Waniska Gathering

July 31, 2023 • By Alexandra King and Saydi Harlton

On June 6 and 7, 2023, an empowering event took place on Treaty 6 and Homeland of the Métis at Wanuskewin, a sacred site and gathering place located in what has become known as Saskatoon. It left a lasting impact on participants and nurtured hope for Indigenous health. The Waniska Gathering was a two-day event addressing crucial issues such as Indigenous health, HIV, hepatitis C and other sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections (STBBI). It was organized by Waniska, an Indigenous-led research centre focused on Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Before the event started, an opening feast was held with community and guests....

Treating hepatitis C in children: How does it work?

July 4, 2023 • By Dr. Fernando Alvarez

Did you know that hepatitis C is a liver infection that can be cured within eight to 12 weeks thanks to treatments that are nearly 100% effective? Called direct-acting antivirals, these treatments were first designed for people over the age of 18, but treatment options for people under the age of 18 have also been developed in recent years. This includes a treatment approved in Canada for children aged three years and older, which is a game changer in the pediatric context. Romane Close, CATIE’s specialist for resource development and knowledge mobilization, had the chance to speak with Dr. Fernando Alvarez,...

New Canadian hepatitis C estimates tell us how far we’ve come (and how far we have to go)

July 4, 2023 • By Melisa Dickie and Shannon Elliot

Canada has joined countries around the world in committing to eliminate hepatitis C as a public health threat by 2030. However, how do we know if we’re on track to reach that goal and how do we measure our progress along the way? Fortunately, the World Health Organization established targets in its Global Health Sector Strategy on Viral Hepatitis, which have been adapted to the Canadian context by the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC). These targets lay out a path to elimination with concrete objectives, that include a 90% reduction in new hepatitis C infections by 2030, as...

Progress toward viral hepatitis elimination in Canada: Holding governments accountable

May 11, 2023 • By Jennifer van Gennip

On May 11, 2023, Action Hepatitis Canada (AHC) released its Progress Toward Viral Hepatitis Elimination in Canada 2023 Report. This is an update on the 2021 report and provides an analysis of each province and territory’s progress toward eliminating viral hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030, a goal set by the World Health Organization (WHO). With a cure for hepatitis C and a vaccine for hepatitis B, this is an ambitious yet realistic goal. Two years after the initial report, we wanted to see what progress had been made in adopting person-centred policies through a health equity lens,...

Stigma and hepatitis C

May 4, 2023 • By Daphne Rose

Hepatitis C is often impacted by significant social stigma, affecting marginalized groups including people with lived experience of drug use and imprisonment, as well as Indigenous communities. Stigma arises when negative attitudes, beliefs and stereotypes are held by individuals or society towards a particular group. This leads to discrimination, marginalization, as well as negative social and health outcomes for stigmatized groups or individuals. People who use drugs and hepatitis C People who use drugs, particularly through injection, are at a higher risk of contracting hepatitis C through sharing needles and other drug use equipment. However, the stigma associated with drug...