Innovative Partnership to Advance Hepatitis C Elimination in New York State

Hepatitis C (HCV) continues to be a public health concern in New York State, despite the availability of curative medications. HCV is a blood-borne virus that affects the liver. Many people don’t know they have HCV, allowing individuals to continue to transmit the infection. Furthermore, 70% of infected individuals will develop a chronic infection, which is often asymptomatic for many years. If left untreated, this infection can cause liver cirrhosis, liver failure, liver cancer, and even death. Injection drug use is the highest risk factor for HCV, and most new infections are occurring among people who inject drugs (PWID). Yet stigma, discrimination and other structural inequities are significant barriers to care for this population. Through its HCV Elimination Plan, New York State is working to eliminate hepatitis C as a public health problem by 2030. A key component of this strategy is a partnership with Health Sciences at the University at Albany. Join us to learn more about the NYS HCV elimination initiative and how this unique 7+ year partnership works to identify the successes and challenges of implementing innovative models for HCV screening, diagnosis, and care among PWID.

Target Audience
The public health and healthcare workforce.

Learn More

Speakers

Colleen Flanigan, RN, MS
Director, Office of Hepatitis Health Care and Epidemiology
New York State Department of Health AIDS Institute

Tomoko Udo, PhD
Associate Dean for Research and Associate Professor, College of Integrated Health Sciences, University at Albany, State University of New York

Learning Outcome and Objectives

As a result of participation in this activity, the learner will have increased and enhanced their knowledge and competence on how an innovative partnership with an academic institution can be effective in making progress toward elimination of Hepatitis C.

By the end of the activity, learners will be able to:

Describe the New York State HCV Elimination Plan.
Summarize the structural barriers impacting HCV testing and provision of care in New York State.
Discuss the benefits and challenges of a partnership between a department of health and an academic institution in working to achieve this public health goal.

Activity Materials

Coming Soon

Continuing Education Credits

To Obtain Continuing Education Credits

Each participant interested in CE credits must watch the activity, complete an evaluation and post-test, which is available above under "Evaluation, Post-test for CE Credits". A score of 80% and above on the post-test will generate a certificate indicating the requested credits.

Criteria for Successful Completion:
Learners must attend 100% of this activity to be awarded full continuing education credits /contact hours.

Disclosure Statements

None of the planners and presenters have any financial arrangements or affiliations with any ineligible companies whose products, research or services may be discussed in this activity.

No commercial funding has been accepted for this activity.

Continuing Medical Education Credits

The College of Integrated Health Sciences, University at Albany is accredited by the Medical Society of the State of New York (MSSNY) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The College of Integrated Health Sciences, University at Albany designates this enduring material for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits^TM. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Continuing Medical Education Credits are offered until December 31, 2026.

Continuing Nurse Education Contact Hours

University at Albany College of Integrated Health Sciences is approved as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the Northeast Multistate Division Education Unit, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.

This offering is approved for 1.0 nursing contact hour.

Nursing Contact Hours are offered until March 31, 2028.

Certified Health Education Specialist Contact Hours

Sponsored by The College of Integrated Health Sciences, University at Albany, SUNY, a designated provider of continuing education contact hours (CECH) in health education by the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, Inc. This program is designated for Certified Health Education Specialists (CHES®) and/or Master Certified Health Education Specialists (MCHES®) to receive up to 1.0 total Category I contact education contact hours. Maximum advanced-level continuing education contact hours available are 0. Continuing Competency credits available are 1.0. Provider ID# 99086.

Continuing Education Contact Hours are offered until May 5, 2029.

Certified in Public Health

This event is sponsored by The College of Integrated Health Sciences, University at Albany, an approved provider of CPH Renewal Credits by the National Board of Public Health Examiners.

This offering is approved for 1.0 Certified in Public Health Renewal Credit.

CPH Renewal Credits are offered until May 5, 2029.

Evaluation, Post Test and Certificate

Coming Soon