P-HOP Event To Provide Free Hepatitis C Testing To The Community - P-HOP Recognizes May As Hepatitis Awareness Month

Main Category: Liver Disease / Hepatitis
Article Date: 02 May 2008 - 2:00 PDT

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Philadelphia Hepatitis Outreach Project (P-HOP), in partnership with the New Pathways for Women Project, is conducting a community health fair on May 31, 2008 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the New Pathways for Women Project office at 2539 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia.

In recognition of May as Hepatitis Awareness Month, P-HOP will offer free Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) screening, HIV counseling and rapid testing, as well as information about an array of other health and social services available to the community. Refreshments and entertainment will be provided.

P-HOP, a program of Philadelphia Health Management Corporation (PHMC), provides community-based viral hepatitis education, screening and outreach services. The New Pathways for Women Project, a collaboration between PHMC and the Black Women's Health Alliance (BWHA), provides community outreach services to substance-involved African American women who are at high risk for HIV infection.

The majority of P-HOP's services are provided in city-funded substance abuse treatment facilities, given the very high rate of HCV infection among individuals with histories of drug use. Data from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimated that 60% of those infected with HCV contracted the virus through injection drug use. "Currently, HCV positive rates for consumers of city-funded methadone clinics approach 85%," explains program coordinator, Teresa Lamore. "This program helps treatment providers integrate client-centered hepatitis support services into their routine of HIV early intervention and substance abuse recovery operations."

HCV is spread through blood to blood contact and causes infection of the liver. Lamore said, "According to the CDC, it is estimated that 4.1 million Americans have been infected with HCV, and that each year an additional 19,000 people become infected."

There is currently no vaccine to combat HCV; therefore prevention is crucial. P-HOP has found that free screenings, where issues such as HCV prevention and treatment can be openly discussed, best educate individuals most at risk. Community health fairs are specifically designed to support treatment, reduce disease transmission through education, ensure clients are linked to available insurance, and provide information on medical and community support. Lamore adds, "Most importantly, the role of an HCV Outreach Support Specialist is to provide one-on-one personal encouragement and advocacy for consumers and to work with them to counter the fear, stigma, and misinformation associated with HCV."

About P-HOP

Philadelphia Hepatitis Outreach Project (P-HOP) conducts basic viral hepatitis education presentations and screening events for Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) consumers, as well as specialized seminars on treatment issues and challenges for those consumers living with HCV. The primary goals of P-HOP are to increase the number of individuals who know their HCV status through onsite HCV screening; the promotion of positive and healthy outcomes of individuals living with HCV through education, advocacy, outreach, and linkage to care; and to reduce the transmission of viral hepatitis to others.

About New Pathways for Women Project

The New Pathways for Women Project, a collaboration between PHMC and the Black Women's Health Alliance (BWHA), provides community outreach services to substance-involved African American women who are at high risk for HIV infection. Through enrollment in the program, the women receive individual pre-treatment counseling, case management, support services, on-site rapid HIV testing, and, as needed, referral and accompaniment to confirmatory HIV testing, HIV primary care and case management services, substance abuse treatment, and other support services.

About PHMC

The Philadelphia Health Management Corporation (PHMC) is a nonprofit public health institute that builds healthier communities through partnerships with government, foundations, business and other community-based organizations. It fulfills its mission to improve the health of the community by providing outreach, health promotion, education, research, planning, technical assistance, and direct services. PHMC has served the Greater Philadelphia region since 1972.

Philadelphia Health Management Corporation