End Hep C SF Release Video Series on the Status of Hepatitis C and Interventions to Address it

SAN FRANCISCO - April 23, 2019 - PRLog -- End Hep C SF, a multi-sector collective impact organization dedicated to eliminating hepatitis C (HCV) in San Francisco, has released a series of short films describing their work, highlighting treatment successes in light of new treatment options, opportunities for those impacted by HCV, as well as the surrounding stigma associated with the disease. The videos will be posted on the website, endhepcsf.org, over the next month, as well as on various social media outlets. The collaboration hopes this video series will raise awareness about HCV and the interventions to address it, and inspire other direct service workers, clinicians, and communities to get creative about ending HCV. The series will launch each Tuesday over the next month.

http://www.endhepcsf.org/video-series-launches-online/

Hepatitis C (HCV) is a blood-borne virus that infects the liver. HCV is easily transmitted through blood-to-blood contact and, if left untreated, can cause lifelong infection, chronic liver disease, and death. People with active virus can live with HCV for decades without knowing which often leads to cirrhosis (severe liver scarring) and death. Since 2013, the number of deaths related to hepatitis C has exceeded the total number of deaths from all 60 other infectious diseases combined, including HIV. End Hep C SF estimates that approximately 12,000 residents of San Francisco have active HCV. Like many communicable diseases, HCV disproportionately impacts marginalized populations, specifically people who are homeless or marginally housed, people of color (most notably African Americans), people living with HIV, and people who inject drugs, including a growing number of young people. End Hep C SF hopes to raise awareness through this video series, and to encourage testing and, where necessary, treatment, particularly among these most vulnerable populations.

End Hep C SF envisions a San Francisco where hepatitis C is no longer a public health threat, and hepatitis C related health inequities have been eliminated. Their mission is to support all San Franciscans living with, and at risk for, hepatitis C to maximize their health and wellness. They achieve this through prevention, education, testing, treatment, and linkage to reduce morbidity and mortality related to hepatitis C. While San Francisco has made great strides in improving access to HCV treatment, many people in highly impacted populations have yet to take advantage of expanded HCV treatment access.