2016 Hepatitis C: You and Me for Veterans A Success in the SF Bay Area

Contact Information:

For Immediate Release: December 15, 2016

In 2016, the National Hepatitis Education and Wellness Center, Inc. (NHEWC) provided a 32 Hepatitis C (HCV) education and wellness workshops for Veterans who are infected with and/or affected by HCV through numerous modes of transmission, including injection drug use, blood exposure during combat, jet/airgun mass immunizations, etc.

The program entitled, Hepatitis C: You and Me for Veterans, was held at the Renaissance Center in East Palo Alto, CA http://www.rencenter.org/services/mid-peninsula/locations/san-mateo-county) and the Veterans Emergency Shelter and Housing Center in San Jose, CA (http://veteranshousingfacility.org). The program was made possible through generous grants from Merck & Co. and Gilead.

NHEWC’s goal for Hepatitis C: You and Me for Veterans program is to empower veterans living with HCV to be self-advocates for their own health by providing comprehensive information and peer education skill-building opportunities through the classes. Analysis of data taken from valuations completed by participants strongly suggest NHEWC’s program is on track and timely.

The topics covered over the course included: Introduction to Peer Education, Hepatitis C 101: Understanding the Liver and Hepatitis, Supporting the Newly Diagnosed/Partnering with Your Care Team, Accessing HCV Resources, Complementary and Alternative Therapies for HCV, Treatment for and Monitoring HCV, HCV and HIV Prevention and Transmission, STD’s and HCV, HCV Activism and Advocacy, Mental Health and HCV, and HCV and Spirituality.

Hepatitis C: You and Me for Veterans incorporates an HCV/HIV co-infection education and wellness component throughout all presentations and written materials because many Veterans taking the classes are also infected with HIV. “Our program also includes a peer education component for Veterans interested in becoming mentors to others challenged by living with HCV, and serving as HCV prevention advocates to other infected/affected Veterans at high-risk for HCV and HCV/HIV co-infection” said Luther C. Brock, Sr., NHEWC’s founder and CEO.

Thirty-eight (38) veterans completed the program. Each participant took a pre- and post-learning assessment which revealed a 38% increase in knowledge of the subject matter. 97% of participants rated the program between Good and Excellent, and 100% of expressed a willingness to refer participants to participate in the next program when offered.

Participant Comments:

  • I felt safe to ask questions freely and express my opinions.”
  • “This program and the speakers really understand the Veteran community.”
  • “I learned things about hepatitis treatments that I never knew.”
  • “The presenter made me want to learn more about how to manage my HCV.”
 – Presenter Comments:

  • “I’m impressed with how the curriculum is designed to touch on the many aspects of living with HCV that are not present in one resource.”
  • “There is no other program like this being offered in the Bay Area that educates individuals on new treatments and wellness measures.”
  • “I was not prepared for a wonderful experience. Thanks for inviting me to present.”

 

In 2017, NHEWC will work with the Reginald & Dionne Smith Foundation (http://www.therdsf.org) to provide Hepatitis C: You and Me in Atlanta, Georgia.

For more information about NHEWC, visit http://hepcwellness.org/.

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To make a tax deductible donation to support NHEWC, visit http://hepcwellness.org/donate-now/