11 January 2023
INHSU recently joined a panel discussion hosted by CATIE and CanHepC to discuss the latest advances in hepatitis C testing in Canada. The virtual event welcomed over 200 participants, discussed new testing technologies, and shared models of care for reaching the undiagnosed across Canada.
Despite huge developments in hepatitis C treatment, there continues to be a need for increased testing and linkage to care, with 9,500 new infections and more than 200,000 people living with chronic hepatitis C in Canada in 2019.
Testing is a critical step in the hepatitis C cascade of care. Through testing, people with hepatitis C can be identified, diagnosed and linked to hepatitis C care and treatment services. Testing can also help connect people at risk of hepatitis C to education and prevention services.
Speakers included:
- Jordan Feld, MD, Hepatologist, University Health Network
- Kristin Lichty, Hepatitis C Treatment Registered Nurse, North Lambton Community Health Centre
- Olivia Dawson, Program Manager, International Network on Health and Hepatitis in Substance Users (INHSU)
- Kate Dunn, Community Engagement, Alberta ECHO
- Kellie Guarasci, Clinical Nurse Lead, Cool Aid Community Health Centre
- Stephen MacInnis, Peer Outreach Worker, Cool Aid Community Health Centre
The INHSU Hepatitis C Intervention Toolkit
INHSU’s Program Manager Olivia Dawson presented the new INHSU hepatitis C intervention toolkit, which includes detailed how-to guides on testing, including Point-of-Care Antibody Testing for Hepatitis C, Dried Blood Spot (DBS) Testing for Hepatitis C, and Point-of-Care RNA Testing for Hepatitis C.
