Task Force Members Selected to Advise on NY's HCV Elimination Plan
The work of the task force will be supplemented by five work groups: Prevention; Testing and Linkage to Care; Care and Treatment; Surveillance, Data and Metrics; and Social Determinants.
New York Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo last week announced the individuals selected to join the task force that will advise the state on its Hepatitis C Elimination Plan. The creation of the task force is the next step toward finalizing the plan and builds on recommendations presented by community stakeholders at the New York State Hepatitis C Elimination Summit in 2017. "The members selected for this task force are some of the finest in their fields, and their invaluable experience will provide us with the information we need to develop an attainable elimination plan," Cuomo said. "This strategic plan will not only improve the quality of life for those living with Hepatitis C, but also ensure that New Yorkers have the support and resources they need to prevent this disease."
"Our comprehensive approach to eliminating Hepatitis C will help to save lives and bring peace of mind to millions of New Yorkers," said Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul. "Like so many other issues, New York is leading the nation and developing a new approach to combating this deadly disease. The task force will bring together the best and the brightest to focus on creative solutions, helping to improve the health of New Yorkers and ensure Hepatitis C becomes a concern of the past."
The work of the task force will be supplemented by five work groups: Prevention; Testing and Linkage to Care; Care and Treatment; Surveillance, Data and Metrics; and Social Determinants.
According to Cuomo's announcement, more than 100,000 New Yorkers are living with Hepatitis C, and most are unaware they have it. Three out of four people living with Hepatitis C are baby boomers.
Meetings of the task force will be open to the public, and the are in the process of being scheduled. The task force's co-chairs are Brad Hutton, deputy commissioner for Public Health with the New York State Department of Health, governmental co-chair; and Dr. Christine Kerr, M.D., Hudson River Health Care, community co-chair.