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Member Update
November 2015
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November was a busy month for AHC! Read on for some highlights and updates.
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Steering Commitee Meeting
November 9-10 | Vancouver BC
The members of the Steering Committee met for 2 days in Vancouver to discuss 2015 and set goals, priorities and a draft work plan for 2016. The meetings were very productive and there are many exciting ideas for 2016. Once the proposed work plan is finalized later this month it will be shared with all members.
2nd International Meeting on Hepatitis Cure and Eradication
November 11-12 | Vancouver BC
Following the Steering Committee meetings, most of the Steering Committee stayed on for the Hep Cure Meeting. CTAC live-tweeted the event, and we re-tweeted many of the key talking points. AHC Exec member Daryl Luster was able to particiapate in one of the panels as well. There will be a follow up summary posted to our website soon.
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AHC is proud to particpate in the National Hep C Advocacy Working Group alongside CLF, CASL, and CanHepC. The working group, facilitated by Hill+Knowlton, produced this infographic of the Toronto Declaration to coincide with the International Meeting on Hepatitis Cure and Eradication.
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On November 26, AHC had the opportunity to host an educational breakfast for MPPs in the Legislature Dining Room at Queen's Park. Adam Cook, representing CTAC on the AHC Steering Committee, was joined by Marsha Lecour, an advocate with lived experience. Each presented, and we were able to engage all those in attendance in meaningful conversations about ways that Ontario could improve the response to hepattiis C.
Adam's main points were:
- Hepatitis C is the most burdensome infectious disease in Canada, impacting more than just the liver
- Hepatitis C accounts for between 30-50% of all liver cancer in Canada; the only cancer whose mortality is increasing
- There is a cure for hepatitis C!
- Present treatment rates are barely keeping pace with the rate of new infections in Canada.
- Ontario bears at least one third of the national burden of hepatitis C.
- One hepatitis C sufferer, if left untreated, will cost the Canadian health care system up to $330,000 in health costs. This is several times more than the cost of treatment.
- There are many novel policy approaches! Quebec, Prince Edward Island, and New Brunswick have all modified their policies to increase access to treatment while controlling costs.
The response has been very positive from MPPs in attendance. Adam has already had a meeting with MPP Yurek, PC Health Critic, and Dr. Jordan Feld will be joining him for a meeting next week with the MOH’s office staff. We have had another MPP request for a meeting, as well as a request for help crafting a statement to make in the house.
You can read more on our website, or download the slide deck or briefing notes. |
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AHC Position Statement on Access to Treatment
In case you missed it, we recently released our first position statement. You can view it here, We will have one on age-cohort screening very soon!
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