CDC Foundation Launches Viral Hepatitis Action Coalition

In anticipation of the release of the Institute of Medicine (IOM) report on viral hepatitis, the CDC Foundation (the independent nonprofit partner of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), in partnership with CDC's Division of Viral Hepatitis, recently launched the Viral Hepatitis Action Coalition.

The Coalition is comprised of private-sector organizations committed to supporting high priority research, education and program evaluation projects initiated by CDC's Division of Viral Hepatitis. In addition to providing funding for specific projects, Coalition members also will support CDC by sharing research data, connecting CDC to appropriate stakeholders and networks, and providing feedback on the information and tools needed in the field to respond to the recommendations outlined in the IOM report.

Founding Viral Hepatitis Action Coalition members include: Gilead Sciences, Inc.; Merck & Co., Inc.; OraSure Technologies; and Vertex Pharmaceuticals. In addition to supporting the overall Coalition, members will have the opportunity to fund and partner with CDC on CDC-led research and education projects as priorities are identified. Two initial priority projects include a study called Birth-cohort Evaluation to Advance Screening and Testing for Hepatitis C (BEST-C) and a national hepatitis education campaign. For each project, Coalition members will reach out to other critical partners in the hepatitis community as appropriate, including partners from academia, patient advocacy and other hepatitis-related groups. Coalition members are committed to engaging the entire hepatitis community in efforts to improve screening and treatment of viral hepatitis.

The Viral Hepatitis Action Coalition is seeking additional membership, and those interested in membership should contact Leah-Lane Lowe at (404) 653.0790 or llowe@cdcfoundation.org. To learn more about CDC's Division of Viral Hepatitis, visit www.cdc.gov/hepatitis.