Fourth annual Viral Hepatitis Conference to be held in Lexington July 27; Kentucky leads the nation in new infections

Kentucky will hold its fourth annual viral hepatitis conference, "Ending the Epidemics: The Role of Professionals in Hepatitis Elimination" July 27 in Lexington, the day before National Hepatitis Day.

The meeting is hosted by the Kentucky Rural Health Association, the state Department for Public Health's Adult Viral Hepatitis Prevention Program and the Kentucky Immunization Program. It will run from 8:15 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Embassy Suites in Lexington and will offer continuing education credits for medical professionals. Space is limited, click here for more information and a link to register.

Kentucky leads the nation in the rate of new, or acute, hepatitis C infections, with the highest rates occurring in the Appalachian region and Northern Kentucky, where injection drug use is most prevalent. Hepatitis C is often spread through the sharing of needles among intravenous drug users. The state estimates more than 38,000 Kentuckians are chronically infected with hepatitis C, which is prevalent among the baby-boom generation.

Topics for the conference will include the Department of Veterans Affairs' strategy for hepatitis care and Kentucky's elimination strategies. It will also include discussions that focus on people who inject drugs, syringe exchange programs; perinatal transmission of the disease; diagnosis and treatment updates and a barriers to treatment.