CHIPO-NYC Meeting Highlights | 12-8-17

CHIPO-NYC Meeting Highlights | 12-8-17

CHIPO NYC 2017 Goal

• To reinvigorate the Coalition against Hepatitis in People of African Origin work in NYC

Initiatives

• Expansion of the Check Hep B Patient Navigation Program in organizations serving the African community, including in Staten Island
• Seeking funding for Hep B Community Screening and care for the uninsured – funding opportunities are list here: https://hepfree.nyc/funding
• Collaborate to raise awareness about hepatitis in the African community to promote increased vaccination, testing and linkage to care.

Suggestions from participants

• Tips for raising awareness and promoting services:
  • Frequent outreach at the same locations to increase engagement in services such as vaccination and testing
  • Involve community or religious leaders in events
  • Collaborate with existing African events or parades for screening
  • Radio announcement and education has been successful
  • Promote liver cancer screening instead of hepatitis B to overcome stigma (possibly)
  • Be aware of immigration concerns
  • Provide a “voucher” for free hepatitis vaccination or testing services
  • Use educational materials such as the Hep B pocket card
    • Hep B Image based pocket card – Available at next meeting (Thank you all for your feedbacks)
• Support funding for:
  • Check Hep B at CHASI on Staten Island
  • Support funding for Check Hep B and/or C at Bronx Works.
    • Currently offering free testing

Resources

• NYC Health Department “Health Map”: Hep B care and vaccines site locator, click here
• Montefiore: Free Hep B screening, email  Fatima Omarufilo at alabaran@montefiore.org
• Bronxcare: Hep B navigator Christina at CBoynes@bronxleb.org
• Bellevue: Hep B and C Navigators, email Luisa at Luisa.Martelo@nychhc.org  or Yacaris at Yacaris.Dejesus@nychhc.org
• African Services Committee: Free Hep B and C screening and walk-in, email Halimatou at halimatouk@africanservices.org for questions
• Aids Healthcare Foundation: care and vaccines https://locations.aidshealth.org/
• Resources to ensure health access for all (insured and uninsured) are available at hepfree.nyc/patients-public/patient-resources/special-programs/
• Patient Advocate Foundation Hep B drug copay assistance –  https://www.copays.org/diseases/hepatitis-b

Upcoming Events

• Breakfast Briefing To Obtain Funding – Please email fpene@health.nyc.gov if you would like to take action and take the lead to plan this event.
• Next CHIPO NYC Bi-monthly Meeting – Look out for the next meeting in March at (3 – 5pm) at African Services Committee (429 W. 127th Street)

Opportunity

• National CHIPO Calls – Email Chari Cohen at chari.cohen@hepb.org to present during the call.
  African Immigrant Advisory Group – Email Chari Cohen at chari.cohen@hepb.org to join.

News

• New 2 Dose Hep B Vaccine!In November 2017, the FDA approved Dynavax’s new 2 dose Hep B vaccine – HEPSILAV-B – for adults age 18 years and older. Read more here.

Event Caterer

• CVS Caremark/Careplus – Many thanks to Jerry, if you have any questions regarding HIV or Hep C medication approval please email him at Gerald.loschiavo@cvshealth.com

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CHIPO-NYC is a coalition of organizations and individuals interested in addressing the high rates of hepatitis B and C infections among African communities in the U.S. Our goal is to bring together NYC organizations, services providers and advocates who are dedicated to ending hepatitis B and C in African communities throughout the city.