Hepatitis Australia

About Hepatitis Australia
Vision and Mission
Programs and Services
Contact Details

About Hepatitis Australia

Hepatitis Australia was incorporated in 1997 as the peak community organisation to progress national action on issues of importance to people affected by hepatitis. Their members are the eight state and territory hepatitis councils. These councils developed in the early to mid 1990â€™s, emerging from hepatitis C patient support groups. The Hepatitis Councils generally define their core business as providing information and support services to people affected by hepatitis (primarily hepatitis C) and to support the reduction of hepatitis C transmission.

Vision and Mission

Their Vision A nation free of new cases of viral hepatitis. A society which is mindful of and responsive to the needs of those affected by viral hepatitis. Their Mission To provide national leadership and advocacy on viral hepatitis and support partnerships for action to ensure the needs of Australians affected by or at risk of viral hepatitis are met.

Alert the nation to the urgency for action
Influence decision makers to ensure effective policy and action
Connect with affected communities
Link people to quality information
Build national partnerships and cooperative action
Build a strong, innovative and well governed organization.

They aim to achieve this by:

Increasing awareness of viral hepatitis
Increasing understanding of key issues affecting those living with hepatitis
Promoting critical discussion of Australiaâ€™s public health response to hepatitis B and hepatitis C
Strengthening the capacity of the hepatitis prevention and support workforce
Facilitating action to address hepatitis C in populations such as people who inject drugs; people in custodial settings; and Aboriginal & Torres Strait people

Programs and Services

Programs and services provided include:

National Hepatitis C Health Promotion Conference – The conference explores issues of community engagement and showcases projects and strategies used across Australia to engage key populations for hepatitis C prevention, education and health maintenance.
National Hepatitis C Health Promotion Awards – awards are presented in recognition of excellence in hepatitis C education, prevention, information provision and support.
World Hepatitis Day and Hepatitis Awareness Week – World Hepatitis Day takes place on May 19, the first day of National Hepatitis Awareness Week, which runs from May 19 to May 26. These events aim to promote awareness and understanding of hepatitis.
Forums & Workshops – Hepatitis Australia hosts forums and workshops specific to emerging issues in the sector. These events are held to inform and promote dialogue on particular topics/issues amongst the hepatitis workforce, people affected by hepatitis and policy makers.
Hepatitis Research – Hepatitis Australia facilitates research forums on hepatitis C. Past forums included a broad range of researchers covering clinical, social, epidemiological and virological disciplines, presenting research recently completed or currently being developed.
National Hepatitis C and Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Communities Workshop – Hepatitis Australia hosted the first National Hepatitis C and Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Communities Workshop in Melbourne on the 7th June, 2007. The workshop showcased successful programs and partnerships in hepatitis C service provision.