The Caring Ambassadors Program uses a unique approach in our work to address the elimination
of viral hepatitis and specifically hepatitis C.
Our three main methods to combat hepatitis C are to Empower patients and providers to increase their knowledge of hepatitis C to improve access a cure; to Educate systems and communities on how to integrate viral hepatitis services into existing programming; and to Advocate on behalf of patients and communities to create sound policy, funding and messaging. We are honored to serve the community to help eliminate the largest infectious disease outbreak of our time; we promise to be BOLD in our approach to creating paths to health and making hepatitis C history.
AmazonSmile is a website operate by Amazon with the same products, prices and shopping features as Amazon.com. The difference is that when you shop on AmazonSmile, the AmazonSmile Foundation will donate 0.5% of the purchase price of eligible products.
MY CHOICES© is a tool to help you recognize and act upon what you can control in your health care journey to achieve optimal healing, regardless of the illness you face. It contains elements of a guide book, health planner, journal, and activity book to help orient you to and plan for the journey ahead.
Order Educational Materials
Free brochures and materials
Order Educational Materials. Caring Ambassadors Program believes that knowledge is power. We strive to empower patients, systems and communities to increase their knowledge of hepatitis C in effort to eliminate the largest infectious disease outbreak of our time.
Pre-training Webinar: Syndemics & Viral Hepatitis The Bigg Elimination Tribute Project is an innovative approach to a Chicago-based hepatitis C (HCV) micro-elimination program, and was built in honor of a friend of the Caring Ambassadors, the late, Dan Bigg.
Weekly News Update.
Caring Ambassadors Program provides 3 weekly news updates covering Lung Cancer News, Hepatitis C News, and My Choices© Update. Receive them delivered weekly to your inbox.
Hepatitis C News
Week Ending April 27, 2020
HCV Prevalence in the United States Stratified by Sex, Birth Cohort, and Race
‘Modeled estimates can help guide policy and programs for prevention and treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection by elucidating populations with the greatest need for intervention, according to a study published in Hepatology Communications. More than 2 million adults in the United States are estimated to be infected with HCV.’
ACCP Position Paper on Hepatitis C Infection
‘It is estimated that between 15-40% of inmates incarcerated in in the United States have chronic hepatitis C infection (HCV), compared to 1-2% of the general population. Over time, HCV can lead to complications of end-stage liver disease, including cirrhosis, liver transplantation, cancer, and death.’
Chronic HCV Treatment After NS5A Treatment Nonresponse
‘For patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype-4 infection, retreatment for nonstructural protein 5A (NS5A) treatment nonresponse was effective and well-tolerated in both noncirrhotic and compensated cirrhotic groups. This is according to data published in the European Journal of Gastroenterology & Hepatology.’
HCV Reinfection After Successful Antiviral Treatment Among People who Inject Drugs
‘Although reinfection with hepatitis C virus (HCV) may occur following successful treatment in people with recent drug use, reinfection risk should not be used as a reason to withhold therapy from people with ongoing injecting drug use, according to a systematic review published in the Journal of Hepatology. HCV reinfection following successful treatment can compromise treatment outcomes.’
HCC recurrence in HCV patients after liver transplantation: SiLVER Study reveals benefits of sirolimus in combination with CNIs
(https://www.mdlinx.com/journal-summaries/hepatocellular-carcinoma-hepatitis-c-hepatocellular-carcinoma/2020/04/23/7665230/?spec=surgery)
‘In view of the observation that the choice of immunosuppression affects the outcomes in liver transplant (LTx) recipients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and hepatitis C viral (HCV), the HCV+ subgroup of patients were analyzed from the randomized controlled, international SiLVER Study. One hundred sixty-six HCV+ SiLVER study patients were assessed regarding HCC outcome after LTx in this post‐hoc analysis.’
My Choices© Update
Week Ending April 27, 2020
As the Health Care Workers Face Extraordinary and Unprecedented Emotional Challenges, Hackensack Meridian Health Offers Spiritual Care for Team Members in Response to COVID-19
“If there was ever a time when health care workers needed a spiritual lift, it’s right now. Day after day, caregivers are experiencing a level of death and grief that is unprecedented. The tremendous loss of life is compounded by the sorrow they feel because family members can’t be with their loved ones in the hospital.”
Mind–Body Therapies May Reduce Pain, Opioid Dose
“Mind–body therapies can achieve moderate improvements in pain and small reductions in opioid dose, according to a systematic review and meta-analysis.”
Quick-start guide to an anti‑inflammation diet
“There are no complicated rules to follow. Just be mindful of general dos and don’ts.”
5 Ways to Help Others and Stay Mentally Strong
“We are a few weeks into shelter at home, social distancing, remote working, and job losses. What mental health experts warned us might happen, has happened. Some people are lonely, frightened, agitated, and angry. Others are able to cope and adapt to the new normal easier.”
Supporting Family Health with Good Nutrition During COVID-19
“As we spend more time at home, it’s important to maintain a routine with a balanced breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks. This routine prevents us from going too long between meals, while helping prevent us from unhealthy snacking all day.”
4 exercise trends to try
“One of the best ways to sustain an exercise regimen is to find an activity that appeals to you. And four new exercise trends may pique your interest. They’re not age-specific and most can be tailored to your needs. But they do have pros and cons.”