Currently there are an estimated four million Americans infected with Hepatitis C (HCV), eight to ten thousand of whom die each year from the disease. Further, the cost of HCV is estimated to be more than $600 million per year in medical and work-loss expenses.

The Hepatitis C Project began in 1997 when NACCHO entered into a cooperative agreement with the Division of Viral Hepatitis of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). For six years, NACCHO worked with the Hepatitis Branch to assist LPHAs and community-based organizations in meeting the Healthy People 2010 goal of preventing disease, disability, and death from infectious diseases. Accomplishments include:

• NACCHO’s Board of Directors passage of the Resolution Concerning the Local Public Health Response to Hepatitis C No. 98-12
• Funding LPHAs to convene and develop educational workshops on viral hepatitis prevention for health professionals in their communities.
• Funding LPHAs to integrate viral hepatitis prevention activities into existing HIV/STD program infrastructure.
• Completion and analysis of an assessment survey disseminated to 1200 LPHAs nationwide on their HIV and HCV informational and programmatic needs. (For more information, see Hepatitis C/HIV Needs Assessment).