There are over 100,000 people living with hepatitis B in NYC, half are unaware of their status, and many are out of care.  Hepatitis can be treated to prevent liver disease progression, cancer, and premature death.

Action Items for Primary Care Providers

1. Screen all people at risk for hepatitis B infection.
2. Vaccinate all people who are at risk for hepatitis B infection based on screening results.
3. Link to care. People who are found to be infected with hepatitis B should be linked to care immediately. For help finding referrals for your patients, see Find Testing & Care, or contact hep@health.nyc.gov.
4. Develop hepatitis B clinical care capacity. Review the 2016 American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) guidelines for chronic hepatitis B care and treatment.
5. Evaluate and treat hepatitis B in all eligible patients. Develop a care plan for all chronically infected people, including regular ongoing liver cancer surveillance according to AASLD guidelines.
6. Engage all pregnant women diagnosed with hepatitis B infection in care prior to and after childbirth. This can help protect the mother and baby from liver disease.

There are over 145,000 people living with hepatitis C in NYC, 40% are unaware of their status and only 16% have been cured. Hepatitis C can be treated and cured in almost all patients in 12 weeks, which can prevent liver disease progression, cancer and premature death. Hepatitis C can be prevented through harm reduction and substance use services and proper infection control in health care.

Action Items for Primary Care Providers

1. Screen all people at risk for hepatitis C infection, including baby boomers and anyone with history of blood exposure (e.g., medical exposures) or intranasal or injection drug use.
2. Conduct RNA confirmatory testing on all people who screen hepatitis C antibody positive.
3. Implement reflex RNA testing. Automatic confirmatory reflex testing is available from all major laboratories. Call your lab for specific ordering and specimen requirements.
4. Link to care. People who are found to be infected with hepatitis C should be linked to care immediately. For help finding referrals for your patients, visit NYC HealthMap, the online site locator, at nyc.gov/health/sitelocator, or contact hep@health.nyc.gov.
5. Develop hepatitis C clinical care capacity. Review the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) guidelines.
6. Evaluate and treat hepatitis C in all infected patients, including people who use drugs.
7. Screen cirrhotic patients for liver cancer according to AASLD guidelines, even after they have been cured of hepatitis C.
8. Provide reinfection prevention education and support. See patient educational materials and visit nyc.gov/nycwell to connect people to reinfection prevention services such as harm reduction and syringe exchange programs.