POST-CURE HEPATITIS C EMILY MALE AMY HATFIELD

BACKGROUND

vThere are currently 199,000 people living with chronic Hepatitis C

vHepatitis C is highly stigmatized due to the association with injecting drug use

vSince the introduction of DAA in 2016, 60,000 people have been cured of Hepatitis C

vDAA treatment is highly effective

vRisk of relapse is rare and Hepatitis C does not appear to have a latent reservoir

vOnce cured you will always test positive for the HCV anti-bodies and you are not immune and can be re-infected

BARRIERS TO ELIMINATING HEP C

There are several barriers to eliminating Hepatitis C including

ØLack of Needle Syringe Programs in prisons and coverage in community

ØCriminalization of peer distribution of needles and syringes

Ø Criminalization response to injecting drug use prioritized over a public harm and health based approach

ØStigma can prevent individuals accessing health care services

BARRIERS TO POST CURE HEPATITIS C INDIVIDUALSvApplying for Insurance

vBlood Donation

vOrgan Donation

vSperm Donation

vHealth Care Workers who may perform Exposure Prone Procedures (EPP’s)

vMembers and Applicants for the Australian defense force

vSome martial arts competition run by the Martial Arts Federation

vApplying for an Australian Visa in some circumstances

BLOOD DONATION

WHY DOES THIS MATTER?

IS THIS DISCRIMINATION?

vNo right to donate blood

vDiscrimination law ­ The Equal Opportunity Act 2010 (Vic)­ Cain v Australian Red Cross Society [2009]

TASADT 03 ­ Norman v Australian Red Cross Society 1998

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AREAS FOR CHANGE AND ADVOCACY

GOING FORWARD