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 January 20, 2020
No Link Found Between Hepatitis C Infection and Extrahepatic Cancers
‘A new retrospective study out of Asia was not able to confirm an association between hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and risk for extrahepatic malignancies. According to the study, several studies have shown that HCV may infect organs and tissue outside of the liver, and has been implicated in extrahepatic malignancies such as non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), cholangiocarcinoma, pancreatic cancer, and oral carcinomas.’
Aspirin decreases hepatocellular carcinoma risk in hepatitis C virus carriers: A nationwide cohort study
‘A nationwide cohort study was performed to correlate the occurrence rates of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in hepatitis C virus (HCV) carriers treated with or without aspirin. A sum of 2,980 aspirin-treated HCV carriers and 7,771 non-aspirin-treated HCV carriers were included in Taiwan between 2000 and 2012.’
Mandated hep C treatment for SC inmates gets initial consent
’A federal judge granted preliminary approval Tuesday of a proposed settlement mandating testing and treatment for hepatitis C of all inmates in South Carolina correction facilities. Plaintiffs Russell Geissler, Bernard Bagley and Willie James Jackson filed a lawsuit in 2017 against the Department of Corrections over a lack of treatment for hepatitis C.’
Mental and Cognitive Impairment in Hepatitis C Virus
‘Although the care of patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection has radically improved since the US Food and Drug Administration approved the first direct-acting antiviral medication for HCV treatment in 2013, the burden associated with the disease remains high, and the opioid epidemic has led to a surge in new cases.’
Global prevalence of hepatitis C virus in children in 2018: a modelling study
‘Hepatitis C virus (HCV) prevalence estimates for adults and high-risk groups have been widely published, but the disease burden in children is poorly understood. Direct-acting antiviral drugs, which are considered to be highly effective curative therapies for HCV, are now approved for paediatric patients as young as 3 years.’
‘Major milestone’: Governor’s budget targets hepatitis C epidemic in prisons
‘Nearly half of the people in New Mexico’s state prisons are infected with hepatitis C, and for years, the Corrections Department has only purchased enough medicine to treat a fraction of them. But that may be about to change. The executive budget proposal Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham released Jan. 6 recommends $30 million in new funding for the Corrections Department for treatment of hepatitis C, with the expectation of curing most inmates by the end of 2024.’
Hepatitis D coinfection found in ‘household clusters’ in Cameroon
‘Investigation into the epidemiology of hepatitis D in Cameroon revealed intrahousehold infection and large differences in prevalence between regions, with cases concentrated in forested areas close to the equator, which has been seen in other tropical areas.’
New CA Bill to End the Epidemics of HIV, Hepatitis C and Other STDs in LGBTQ+ Community
‘Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) recently introduced a bill that would require state agencies to create and enforce a master plan to end new infections of HIV, hepatitis C and other STIs. All three diseases disproportionately impact gay and bisexual men, African American men and people ages 15-24, according to the Center for Disease Control. “We have the tools to end new infections of HIV and STDs. What we’re missing is political will.’
My Choices© Update
Week Ending January 20, 2020
Dr. Mary Ann Osborne of the Institute For Integral Health to be Featured on Close Up Radio
“Hippocrates the ancient Greek physician famously said, “The natural healing force within each one of us is the greatest force in getting well.” How true is it today that we actually possess a holistic mind set regarding our health?”
Implementing post-genomic personalized medicine: The rise of glycan biomarkers
“An in-depth look at the science of glycobiology and glycan diagnostics, and their promise in personalized medicine in the current post-genomic era are featured in a special issue of OMICS: A Journal of Integrative Biology, the peer-reviewed interdisciplinary journal published by Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers.”
6 Science-Backed Benefits of Probiotics & Who Should Take Them
“The microbiome, the collection of bacteria living in the gut, plays an integral role in overall health. Two of the most popular ways to take care of your gut and give it the support it needs are probiotic supplements and probiotic-rich foods, like yogurt and kimchi. Here, we’ll dive into what exactly probiotics can do for you, your gut, and your overall health.”
What are the benefits of high intensity interval training (HIIT)?
“Although it is common knowledge that exercise provides benefits, many people can find it difficult to find time for regular physical activity.”
Start Fresh: 6 Tips For Emotional Well-Being In 2020
“If you’re trying to get a new routine to stick — whether it’s getting more exercise, eating less sugar or learning to play the ukulele — scholars who study human behavior say the key is to accept failure as a part of the process.”
Easing into exercise
“Are you one of those people whose typical day includes doing chores around the house and yard, running errands, and caring for a spouse, grandkids, or pets?”
Humor and Health: The Surprising Connection
“Let’s be honest, there are few things better in this world than laughing your ass off. We all know from experience that just having a good laugh can instantly improve our mindset and generally improve our mood. Surprisingly, there is actually a boatload of measurable health benefits to a good laughing fit.”
Study Finds Exercise Can Boost Memory & Fight Caffeine Withdrawal
“Thinking about quitting caffeine but worried about the adverse effects? Researchers may have found a quick (and multi-beneficial) way to boost memory without caffeine. A recent study published in Nature Scientific Reports found that as little as 20 minutes of exercise can boost your memory as well as, or even better than, a cup of coffee.”