New York City Health Department & Hep Free NYC

Plan to Eliminate Viral Hepatitis
as a Major Public Health Threat
in New York City by 2030

1. Reduce new Hep C infections among people in NYC by 90% by 2030 
2. Reduce premature deaths among people with chronic Hep B and chronic Hep C in NYC by 65% by 2030; Improve the health of people with Hep B and C in NYC 
3. Reduce health inequities related to viral hepatitis infection among people in NYC

“We are proud to join our partners in putting forth this bold plan to improve the health and lives of New Yorkers living with hepatitis and prevent future infections,” said Health Commissioner Dr. Dave A. Chokshi. “Hepatitis is preventable and treatable. We have to do all we can to reduce inequities and barriers to care.”

“The Hep Free NYC Coalition deserves special recognition for bringing together community advocates, dedicated public health workers, and expert clinicians over the years, culminating in a new viral hepatitis elimination plan for New York City,” said Annette Gaudino, Director of Policy Strategy for Treatment Action Group. “Today marks the long-awaited beginning of the next phase of this exciting collaboration to bring care and treatment to all New Yorkers living with chronic hepatitis B and C.”

“We’ve made major gains in addressing viral hepatitis in recent years, including supporting more people to access life-saving hepatitis C treatment options,” said Emma Roberts, Senior Director of National Capacity Building for the National Harm Reduction Coalition. “However, we must continue to engage New Yorkers at risk for acquiring viral hepatitis and those who need support to navigate health care systems for treatment. The new viral hepatitis elimination plan will help to support this work, including the National Harm Reduction Coalition’s Hep C Peer Navigation program.”

“Implementation of a plan to eliminate hepatitis B and C in New York City is a critical step forward,” said Charles King, CEO of Housing Works. “It will not be an easy challenge, but we will never accomplish this goal without a deliberate plan and the resources to go with it. Housing Works strongly supports this initiative.”

“Hepatitis B is a major health problem and is a leading cause of liver cancer, yet it is often undiagnosed,” said Dr. Y-Uyen Le Nguyen, Hepatitis B Program Director at Charles B. Wang Community Health Center. “According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 67% of persons with hepatitis B do not know they carry the virus. To eliminate hepatitis B, it is important to cast a wide net with universal screening and vaccination.”