The Viral Hepatitis Action Plan spells out the importance of identifying persons infected with viral hepatitis early in the course of their disease as an important component of national efforts to improve diagnosis, care and treatment to prevent liver disease and liver cancer. As awareness of viral hepatitis increases and treatment options become more effective…
Increasing Routine Viral Hepatitis Testing
March 30, 2012 • 1 comment • By Ronald Valdiserri, M.D., M.P.H., Deputy Assistant Secretary for Health, Infectious Diseases, and Director, Office of HIV/AIDS and Infectious Disease Policy, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Change Is the One True Constant: Transitions at HHS
March 21, 2012 • 0 comments • By Ronald Valdiserri, M.D., M.P.H., Deputy Assistant Secretary for Health, Infectious Diseases, and Director, Office of HIV/AIDS and Infectious Disease Policy, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Introducing the Office of HIV/AIDS and Infectious Disease Policy As announced in the Federal Register on Friday, March 16, the office formerly known as the Office of HIV/AIDS Policy will now be known as the Office of HIV/AIDS and Infectious Disease Policy (OHAIDP). OHAIDP, located within the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health, is…
Addressing Viral Hepatitis in People With Substance Use Disorders
March 1, 2012 • 2 comments • By Ronald Valdiserri, M.D., M.P.H., Deputy Assistant Secretary for Health, Infectious Diseases, and Director, Office of HIV/AIDS Policy, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Our colleagues at SAMHSA have just released a new Treatment Improvement Protocol (TIP), Addressing Viral Hepatitis in People With Substance Use Disorders. This is an important and helpful step toward achieving the fifth goal of the Action Plan for the Prevention, Care & Treatment of Viral Hepatitis, which calls on us to ensure that persons…
Reducing Viral Hepatitis Disparities Among African Americans
February 22, 2012 • 0 comments • By Ronald Valdiserri, M.D., M.P.H., Deputy Assistant Secretary for Health, Infectious Diseases, and Director, Office of HIV/AIDS Policy, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
As we observe African American History Month, we are also working to raise awareness of the silent epidemic of viral hepatitis in the Black community. You may have seen the blog post earlier this month by my colleague Dr. Nadine Gracia, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Minority Health. She highlighted some of the troubling viral hepatitis…
Making History: Eliminating Viral Hepatitis Disparities in the African American Community
February 10, 2012 • 3 comments • By J. Nadine Gracia, MD, MSCE, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Minority Health (Acting), Office of Minority Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
During February’s observance of African American History Month, please join us in working to end the unfortunate history of viral hepatitis’ disproportionate impact on the African American community. This Administration is working hard to reduce and eliminate health disparities and achieve health equity. Unfortunately, viral hepatitis is a health problem that is often overlooked by…
Looking Ahead to 2012
December 30, 2011 • 6 comments • By Howard K. Koh, M.D., M.P.H., Assistant Secretary for Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
As 2011 draws to a close and we look ahead with anticipation to the New Year, I want to honor the members of the HIV/AIDS community for their passion in advancing toward our goal of achieving an AIDS-free generation. Through our collective commitment to implement the National HIV/AIDS Strategy (NHAS) and the Action Plan for…
Viral Hepatitis Action Plan: Spotlight on Hepatitis B
November 17, 2011 • 2 comments • By Ronald Valdiserri, M.D., M.P.H., Deputy Assistant Secretary for Health, Infectious Diseases, and Director, Office of HIV/AIDS Policy, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Earlier this month, I blogged about some of the highlights of our recent efforts to implement Combating the Silent Epidemic of Viral Hepatitis: Action Plan for the Prevention, Care & Treatment of Viral Hepatitis (Action Plan). Today, I want to spotlight hepatitis B. Hepatitis B In the United States, an estimated 800,000–1.4 million persons are…
Viral Hepatitis Action Plan Update
November 2, 2011 • 6 comments • By Ronald Valdiserri, M.D., M.P.H., Deputy Assistant Secretary for Health, Infectious Diseases, and Director, Office of HIV/AIDS Policy, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Recently, I had the pleasure of participating in the National Viral Hepatitis Technical Assistance Meeting where there was significant focus on realizing the potential of the Viral Hepatitis Action Plan. Organized by the National Alliance for State and Territorial AIDS Directors and the National Viral Hepatitis Roundtable , the meeting brought together Adult Viral Hepatitis…