From Harm Reduction to Hepatitis C Elimination

Panel Overview:

This panel will bring together hepatitis C and harm reduction advocates to explore how harm reduction approaches can support hepatitis C elimination efforts in New York State. Because the session is designed for a broad audience, it will begin with a brief overview of hepatitis C, New York State’s elimination goals, and the populations most impacted, including people who use drugs, individuals who are currently or formerly justice-involved, and people experiencing homelessness. This shared foundation will support a more in-depth conversation about why harm reduction is essential to achieving elimination. The discussion will then highlight how policies, programs, and community-based strategies can work together to expand access to prevention, testing, and treatment.

Moderated by:
Charles King (he/him), CEO and Founder of Housing Works

Panelists:

• Emma Fabian, MSW (she/her), Executive Director, New York State Harm Reduction Association
• Jeannine Garriga (she/her), Outreach Coordinator, Hepatitis C Mentor and Support Group
• Mike Selick, MSW (he/they), Director of Capacity Building and Community Mobilization, National Harm Reduction Coalition

Discussion Topics:

Overview of hepatitis C elimination goals in New York City and New York State Priority populations and settings

• Past and current policy initiatives, including policy wins
• Introduction to harm reduction
• Examples of effective harm reduction strategies that support hepatitis C elimination, such as:
• Co-locating hepatitis C testing and treatment within syringe service programs
• Providing low-threshold, supportive services for people who use drugs
• Opportunities for advocacy and community engagement

Objectives:

By the end of the session, participants will be able to:

1. Describe why a harm reduction approach is critical to hepatitis C elimination

2. Understand the basic concepts of hepatitis C and harm reduction

3. Identify opportunities to engage in advocacy related to harm reduction and hepatitis C elimination.