Community News
#73 • April 2017
Can Murray Bridge be Hep C-Free? Treatment Apps • Hep B Education
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FREE! Please take one
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Hepatitis SA provides free information and education on viral hepatitis, and support to people living with viral hepatitis.
Cover: Photo by Lisa Carter Correspondence: Please send all correspondence to The Editor at PO Box 782, Kent Town, SA 5071, or email editor@hepatitissa.asn.au. Editor: James Morrison
Street Address: 3 Hackney Road, Hackney Postal Address:
PO Box 782 Kent Town SA 5071
Phone:
Fax:
(08) 8362 8443 1800 437 222 (08) 8362 8559
Online:
www.hepsa.asn.au admin@hepatitissa.asn.au
HEPATITIS SA BOARD
Contents 1 Treatment Uptake 2 Maintenance Apps 4 Treatment Story 6 HBV Treatment
Chair Arieta Papadelos
7 Filipino Community Project
Vice Chair Bill Gaston
8 LiverBetterLife: Murray Bridge
Secretary Lindsay Krassnitzer
12 Hep B Education: The Future
Treasurer Sam Raven Ordinary Members Catherine Ferguson Ratan Gazmere Kirsten Hicks Nicci Parkin Kerry Paterson (EO) Sharon Jennings Jeff Stewart
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14 In Our Library 16 What’s On Disclaimer: Views expressed in this newsletter are not necessarily those of Hepatitis SA. Information contained in this newsletter is not intended to take the place of medical advice given by your doctor or specialist. We welcome contributions from Hepatitis SA members and the general public. SA Health has contributed funds towards this program.
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Making Ourselves Redundant
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epatitis SA and other hepatitis organisations around the country may have no reason to exist in less than a decade. Australia is on track to eliminate hepatitis C by 2026 if record numbers of people living with the virus continue to seek and receive breakthrough antiviral treatment, researchers have found. More Australians were treated for their hepatitis C infection in the first year new generation hepatitis C regimens were made available on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Schemes than in the decade before it. Over 30,000 Australians were treated for their hepatitis C virus infection in 2016, a massive increase on the 2,000-3,000 people with hepatitis C treated annually prior to the listing. “Australia is leading the world in the treatment of hepatitis C, with the most rapid uptake of new treatments seen anywhere in the world, thanks to the unique approach Australia has taken in making these medicines available without restriction,” explained Professor Greg Dore, a researcher at the Kirby Institute. Hepatitis Australia CEO Helen Tyrrell said that the wave of people who had
been treated was “frankly phenomenal” but that Australia must keep up the momentum in order to make the elimination of hepatitis C a reality within a decade in Australia. “Governments, along with the health and community sector, should be applauded for the record number of people with hepatitis C coming forward for treatment so far, but of course these efforts must be sustained over many years to reach everyone who would benefit,” Ms Tyrrell said. “The message for the 230,000 Australians living with hepatitis C is: Ask your doctor about new hepatitis C cures. Don’t miss out. You can be cured in as little as 12 weeks and with far fewer side-effects than previous treatments,” Ms Tyrrell urged. Kirby Institute research also shows that an increasing proportion of patients are being treated by general practitioners. “We’re really pleased to see increasing numbers of GPs prescribing hep C treatments,” said Professor Dore. “This means greater access to treatment and care for people living with hep C. “Hepatitis C is particularly problematic in marginalised and stigmatised populations, including Indigenous
Australians, those who are incarcerated, and people who inject drugs. 90% of newly acquired hep C cases are among people who inject drugs. “Efforts must also be directed towards strategies that prevent infections from occurring, such as providing greater access to clean needles and syringes and drug dependency treatment for people who inject drugs.” The Department of Health initially estimated that 62,000 people would be treated with the new antivirals in their first five years of availability. However, if high treatment rates continue, experts believe this goal could be reached by the end of 2017. Importantly, there is no limit on the number of patients that can be treated. “This is a huge achievement and testament to the critical role of GPs who can prescribe hepatitis C medicines for the first time – and the vision of the Australian Government in making these therapies available without restriction,” Ms Tyrrell explained. “The great news for the public purse is that the amount of money paid for these medicines is capped, so the more people treated over the next five years the better,” she said.
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There’s an App for That Smart adherance
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dhering to your medication regime is of huge importance when you’re being treated for hepatitis. Several digital apps have recently been made available that can help you manage your medication, as well as ordering new repeats without having to go further than your phone. For example, MedAdvisor is a free app used by more than 700,000 Australians which allows you to manage your hepatitis—and any other— medications straight from your smartphone. MedAdvisor connects you to your local pharmacy and provides you with a real-time list of all of your medications. Through this, you can easily view how many days’ supply
or repeats you have left, and receive reminders about when to take your medications, when to fill a script or when to see your doctor. In addition, MedAdvisor has a convenient TapTo-Refill feature which allows you to pre-order your hepatitis medications in advance from the pharmacy, so there is no break in treatment and no wait time on arrival. MedAdvisor’s CEO Robert Read says, “Our goal is to put health back into the hands of Australians so they can feel in control. Through the MedAdvisor app, we are helping those living with hepatitis to manage their medications in a smarter, faster and simpler way compared to ever before. Our data shows that those using
MedAdvisor are 20% more adherent to their medications, resulting in better health outcomes.” Chemist Warehouse has a similar app, which also includes the option to livechat with a pharmacist. Meanwhile, for a noncommercial option, you can use the the NPS Medicinewise Medicine List+ app, which was created as a not-forprofit alternative with Commonwealth funding, and which lets you record details about your medical tests and results, and have your results graphed. All three apps are free to use, but remember to read their privacy policies and terms of use to make sure you are comfortable with the way your medical data might be used for research or commercial purposes.
To learn more, visit: MedAdvisor: www.medadvisor.com.au Chemist Warehouse: www.chemistwarehouse.com.au/TheChemistWarehouseApp.htm NPS Medicinewise Medicine List+: tinyurl.com/medicinewise You can download the apps on the iTunes App Store or from Google Play.
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Available on iPhone and Android
Available from web browser
Paper-based list available
Required to register with a particular pharmacy and get a registration code
Required to deposit script with pharmacy
Script refill reminders
Ability to order script from the pharmacy through the app
Dose reminders
Carer feature (an authorised person can manage others’ scripts)
Ads sent to your device
Your data is held by the app owners NOTES:
MedAdvisor
Chemist Medicine Warehouse List+
*
Image supplied by MedAdvisor
Feature
*Unless you use their paper-based forms.
• The Chemist Warehouse app is only for use with their pharmacy chain. • The MedAdvisor app can be used with any of the existing 1,700 pharmacies they have registered or you can ask MedAdvisor to contact your local pharmacy and invite them to register. • The Medicine List app doesn’t link to any pharmacy, allowing users the flexibility to fill their scripts at any pharmacy they choose. April 2017 • HEPATITIS SA COMMUNITY NEWS 73
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Healing My liver Marian’s Story
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arian Donnelly lived with hepatitis C for 42 years, before she was cleared of the virus in June 2016. Nine months later, in March 2017, a Fibroscan showed her liver is on the mend. Marian had lived with hep C since she was 18, but was unaware of this until she was diagnosed in 2012. “I had been feeling unwell on and off for some time, but hepatitis C was never suspected and not included in the many tests I had over the years. It was only when I became sick while attending a conference overseas that I knew something was seriously wrong,” Marian said. By this time, her liver had developed cirrhosis (scarring) to stage F4, an advanced stage of fibrosis (hardening) as a result of the damage the hepatitis C virus had caused. This put Marian at very high risk of liver cancer or liver failure.
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Despite the condition of her liver, and how it was affecting her overall health, she continued to work two part-time jobs, play competitive tennis, and travelled to Canberra with Hepatitis Australia to promote the book Together We Can: See our Future (See it at www.hepatitisaustralia. com/community-resources), a collection of stories, including Marian’s, from people with hepatitis C about their experiences of treating and living with hepatitis C. “I helped lobby our federal government to list the new DAA medications on the PBS to make them affordable for me and the other 226,000 Australians living with hep C,” she said. Marian had attempted one of the interferon-based treatments in 2013, but it was unsuccessful. “After five weeks, I had a serious adverse reaction to this treatment, resulting in an emergency hospital admission. Six months of treatment was
unsuccessful, the side-effects were horrendous,” she said. The new direct-acting antiviral medications had been released commercially in 2014, but were prohibitively expensive, making them inaccessible to the people who needed them most. At the end of 2015, Marian’s health was deteriorating. She could no longer wait for the government to make the new hepatitis C treatments easily available. “My hep C was worsening. I had debilitating fatigue. I had fallen asleep driving on a number of occasions. The PBS listing had still not happened,” she said. Marian imported three months of Harvoni from China to begin her treatment. But by the time this supply was ending, Harvoni had finally become available on the PBS. Marian was able to continue with another three months of subsidised treatment, without running
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PBS to cover prisoners’ hepatitis C treatments
the risks of using expensive, imported medicine with no reliable quality controls. After six months of treatment, Marian was cleared of hepatitis C and she could feel the difference. “The only side-effects during treatment were occasional mild headaches. After six months of treatment, the hep C was gone. The fatigue was gone,” she said. Nine months later, in March this year, Marian had a Fibroscan to assess the condition of her liver, post-treatment. “It showed no cirrhosis, just moderate fibrosis. I am no longer at high risk of liver failure or liver cancer. I am very grateful,” she said. Now, thanks to people like Marian, those treatments cost less than $40 per prescription, and tens of thousands of Australians have accessed the new treatments in the last year. “All hep C positive people in Australia now have the chance to be free of hep C.”
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TAF vs TDF
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Hep B treatment improves
eople living with chronic hepatitis B are looking forward to the listing of a new hepatitis B drug recommended by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) at its March 2017 meeting. The new tenofovir-based drug, TAF or Vemlidy, promises the same efficacy as the current drug at one-tenth the dosage, thus minimising side effects, and leading to a 30% reduction in hepatitis B related mortality. In the last few months, Hepatitis SA has encountered people who stopped their hepatitis B treatment because of side-effects, and one whose partner was reluctant to start, saying “We can wait for a few months. After all, it is a long battle.” There are also some who couldn’t wait and have started on the current medicine, tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF), but are waiting to switch to the new drug tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) once it becomes available. TDF, is effective in suppressing the hepatitis B virus, but is also linked to bone density loss and renal dysfunction in some patients. This is due to the high level of tenofovir circulating in the body.
Less Toxicity TDF—also known as Viread— is a tenofovir prodrug, an inactive compound which
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converts to tenofovir in the body, after it is ingested. TAF/Vemlidy, also a tenofovir prodrug, is currently available in the US, Europe and Japan. It can achieve the same level of virus suppression at onetenth the dosage. This results in a lower level of tenofovir circulating in the body, thus reducing the damaging effect on bone density and renal function. TAF has a more stable structure which allows a more efficient delivery of tenofovir to the liver cells. The treatment is given as a once-daily tablet. Each TAF tablet is 25 mg compared to 245 mg for TDF. The PBAC has recommended listing of TAF25 mg tablets for treatment of chronic hepatitis B in patients who have not been treated before for hepatitis B (‘treatmentnaïve’) and patients for whom therapy has failed previously (‘treatment-experienced’). About 213,000 Australians live with hepatitis B and about 380 die each year from hepatitis B-related causes. It is a leading cause of liver cancer, the cancer with highest rate of increase in Australia. Not everyone with chronic hepatitis B needs treatment, but experts have estimated that at any given time, 15% will require treatment. If the condition is left unmanaged, one in four people with chronic hepatitis B will face adverse outcomes such as
liver failure or liver cancer. Treatment uptake among Australians living with chronic hepatitis B is lower than the recommended 15%. South Australia’s treatment rate, at 2.9%, is significantly below the national average of 5.3%.
Saving money and lives A recent study by specialists from Flinders University shows that increasing the treatment rate from 2.9% to 10% would save the state almost $14 million over the next 10 years, and almost $23.8 million if treatment uptake was increased to 15%. Increasing the treatment rate from 2.9% to 15% would also halve the number of liver cancer cases over the next 10 years. (See our last issue for more.) The availability of a medicine with less toxic side effects, like TAF, would encourage more people who need hepatitis B treatment to take it up, as well as reduce the number of people stopping treatment because of side effects. This will enhance our capacity to meet the national target of 15% treatment uptake, improving quality of life and long term health outcomes for Australians living with chronic hepatitis B, and reducing the burden on the health budget created by hepatitis B-related morbidity and mortality.
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Communities in Focus The Filipino Hepatitis B Community Education Project
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he Filipino Hepatitis B Community Education Project is an exciting new collaboration between the Filipino Settlement Coordinating Council of SA (FSCCA) and Hepatitis SA. We aim to increase hepatitis B awareness and information in the Filipino community, increase health literacy and hepatitis B knowledge in relation to HBV transmission risk, testing, monitoring and
treatment, and reduce stigma associated with the virus.
time, along with Gary Spence from the Education Team.
The project will also increase links to health services to encourage hepatitis B testing, and—where appropriate— regular monitoring and treatment. It further aims to reduce barriers to the uptake of hepatitis B testing and clinical management.
The project had a great start in October last year at the Filipino Fiesta held in Adelaide’s Victoria Square, where over 2000 people were in attendance.
Two community project workers, Marilyn Linn and Leticia De La Cerna, have been working on the project part-
The first of many community education sessions was held in Adelaide in December. This has been followed up with community education sessions delivered to Filipino community members in Murray Bridge, Port Lincoln, Filipino youth and aged care, choir groups, and featured our attendance at the Philippines Ambassador’s visit, as well as presenting at the Embracing Health & Diversity Forum held in the City of Playford. We still have a number of future sessions booked with various Filipino community groups over the next couple of months, as well as the development of a resource that can be used within the Filipino community. A facebook page entitled, ‘Filipino Community Hep B Education Project’, has been developed which is used to share information about upcoming education sessions, as well as sharing photos and stories about past sessions. You can visit us there at bit.ly/2oCsVuv.
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in Murray Bridge
Community, GPs and everyone in-between
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iverBetterLife in Murray Bridge is an attempt to take hepatitis C out of the box and talk about the new treatments in the whole community. The campaign sought the support of general practitioners and other health and community workers but also worked to reach the wider community and every group in between. Strategies to spread the message as widely as possible were used to reach those who don’t normally access community and health services. It is hoped
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that talking openly about hepatitis C treatment could also help to reduce stigma around the condition. The community campaign took off with community consultations, information sessions to groups ranging from sporting teams to housing services and job networks. (See story from Education Team). This targeted strategy was supported by community wide awareness-raising. Ten thousand LiverBetterLife coffee cups were distributed to local cafés for takeaway beverages.
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To complete the picture, 6000 LiverBetterLife coasters were supplied to three local pubs, including the RSL club, to be used over the life of the campaign. Posters went up in shopping centres and were sent to council offices and other community venues, and stories were published in the local newspaper, the Murray Valley Standard. A small network of local supporters, including a cafĂŠ owner, an op-shop manager, a fashion retailer and a photographer, were recruited to provide feedback on T-shirt and coffee cup designs, among other things. Flyers with key information about hepatitis C testing and treatment were delivered to all residential letterboxes in Murray Bridge. Residents were invited to participate
in a simple hepatitis C treatment quiz to go into a draw for a Galaxy tablet and shopping vouchers. The draw was also promoted via the LiverBetterLife facebook page and advertising. Community members can get more information about hepatitis C testing and treatment at a dedicated LiverBetterLife website featuring information videos and resources for GPs. Because GPs are the ones who prescribe the medicines and monitor progress during and after treatment, this pilot project to increase treatment uptake in rural and regional areas hinges on the support of general practitioners. Wider community awareness, however, could make work easier for the doctors. ABOVE: Murray Bridge businesses supporting LiverBetterLife
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The Education Team Perspective
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he LiverBetterLife Campaign commenced in February this year with the aim of significantly increasing hepatitis C testing and treatment rates in Murray Bridge. Murray Bridge has been selected as the site for this national pilot project which, if successful, will hopefully be rolled out in other regional centres across Australia. Whilst the numbers of people accessing the new treatment have increased in major cities, we are yet to see a similar trend for our counterparts living regionally. Thus far, the Education Team have undertaken widespread consultation about project implementation throughout the township of Murray
Bridge, gleaning advice from workers who provide services to our priority populations and consulting with the Community Action Group, supported by local council. Hepatitis SA, in collaboration with the Murray Mallee GP Network, organised an information evening for GPs. Educators have also hosted an information evening for Pharmacists and Pharmacy Assistants. Other hepatitis C professional development sessions, facilitated by Hepatitis SA, have been supported and hosted by Murray Bridge Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital, Murray Mallee Community Health Service, Headspace, Housing SA, JobNet, NEAMI, Moorundi Aboriginal Community
Controlled Health Service, Tinyeri Children’s Centre, Community Corrections, South Australia Police, OARS Community Transitions, Uniting Communities, The Salvation Army, Riverview Dental, and Lakalinjeri Tumbetin Waal (LTW), amongst others. Additional workforce sessions have been scheduled with Centacare, Families SA, the MFS and CFS, and SA Ambulance Service. Hepatitis SA has also had a strong presence at both the Sixth Street Market (which was a tremendous success) and the Health and Wellbeing Festival, which provided a platform to connect with many and varied younger community folk. Hepatitis SA also attended the Murray
Murray Bridge cafes and pubs supporting LiverBetterLife
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spread of HBV and HCV
Bridge Netball Association to catch some finals “netty”, discuss the new Hep C treatments, conduct a Hep C quiz, and run a raffle. Other ways Educators have engaged with the wider community of Murray Bridge have been through the provision of interactive workshops at Tyndale Christian College, the Independent Learning Centre, and Murray Bridge TAFE. There are additional plans to attend a SMART Recovery meeting and a Spirited Men’s BBQ, as well as co-host “healthy liver lunches” with organisations such as Tamake Yande, Moorundi Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service, Drug and Alcohol Services SA, Bridge Clinic, and Bridgeview Family Practice. The Education Team will also deliver a presentation at an upcoming meeting of the Murray Bridge Safe Community Committee. Despite the fact that the pilot project is scheduled to run until the end of May, Educators are already aware of anecdotal evidence suggesting an increase in hepatitis C testing in Murray
Bridge, a notable proportion of which is reportedly patient-initiated. Data pertaining to treatment rates are yet to be accessed. What we do know is that Hepatitis SA has discussed the new Hep C treatments with, at least, 500 residents of Murray Bridge, and has facilitated workshops/professional development sessions at a minimum of 20 different workplaces.
All
The Education Team has been overwhelmed by the support and enthusiasm of the people of Murray Bridge. The Educators are thoroughly enjoying their work in the region and are looking forward to the ongoing success of the project. Thank you to everyone in Murray Bridge who has participated in the project and supported its implementation and delivery. If anyone is interested in organising an education session for their community group and/or workplace please contact the Education Team at Education@hepsa. asn.au or call Tess on (08) 8362 8443.
Oliver and educators at the Sixth Street Market
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All Abuzz
Hepatitis B workers from around Australia share stories and ideas
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he room was buzzing with energy; the passion and commitment of participants obvious and inspiring. This was the first Hepatitis B meeting for people working on new hepatitis B projects throughout Australia to report on progress, exchange ideas and discuss issues. Project designs varied and were pitched at different levels. For jurisdictions with smaller populations, there were no individual cultural groups large enough to work with specifically. Broad-based, general approaches were adopted. Organisations which had done hepatitis B work before
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were able to carry on where they’d left off or ride on the momentum of other concurrent projects. For others, hepatitis B education is new so work had to begin at the basic levels of contact, consultation and awarenessraising. Although the hepatitis B projects were in relatively early stages, project workers were reporting exciting results. The Hepatitis B Symposium was organised by Hepatitis Australia, and held over two days in late April, in Sydney.
Results
Hepatitis Queensland will be publishing a new
English-language textbook discussing hepatitis B. The book is aimed at adult English language students at TAFE. The textbook will have a companion workbook for teachers. Hepatitis ACT has provided information sessions to people from 20 language groups and testing to over 210 people who came from 40 different countries. TasCAHRD has a full calendar of activities planned including innovative ideas for podcasts, human libraries and community forums. HepatitisWA has set up mobile testing clinics during which a nurse practitioner provides testing services
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to community members at their local centres and services. Western Australia has also been successful in winning the support of the Kimberly Medical Services in accommodating a HepatitisWA worker on site. Hepatitis Victoria built on its long-standing relationships with local communities on hepatitis B, refining message delivery and broadening its reach to new arrivals and people who inject drugs. Hepatitis Victoria project worker Lien is consulting with community and exploring ways to create a story to help explain chronic hepatitis B to young children. The Little Hep B Hero project has involved representatives from various cultural backgrounds who also represent different family roles such as mums, dads, grandparents, kids, and so on. The result promises to be fun and useful. Win Yee and Mina from Hepatitis NSW spoke passionately about reaching hard to reach segments of their communities such as men and older people. They pointed to the need to deal with stigma and fear through education and through GPs. Their work rides alongside the Ask Test Treat hepatitis B
campaign currently being run by Hepatitis NSW.
From the community One thing that came through consistently from all the stories was the importance of having workers from the community.
The work with the Chinese community is an accelerated follow-up on information sessions and surveys done earlier with the community. Over 100 people received fibroscans and over 90 one-on-one contacts were made through the sessions. From ‘Little Hep B Hero’
In the Northern Territory, for instance, things were slow to take off at the WurliWurlinjang Health Service in Katherine, until a local community worker, Naomi Rosas, took on a hepatitis B education role as well. In South Australia, the focus was on information sessions for Vietnamese and Filipino communities and engaging Chinese community members through free fibroscan days.
The recurring issue raised was access to testing and vaccination. The 48 participants, including S&T health departments representatives and an expert panel (Dr Ben Cowie, Paula Messolas, Jack Wallace, Dr Narci Teoh), discussed that issue, as well as other factors influencing the success or failure of the projects.
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Baby Boomers
Drug use (both past and current) in Australia is known to be more common in baby boomers than in past generations. This, coupled with less available information about blood borne viruses in the past, greatly increases the risk of associated health problems for this population group. The following resources are part of our online library collection and are free to access. To browse the complete collection: go to our library catalogue search page, hepatitissa.asn.au/ library/#sec-category-10. If you are interested in any of these publications but are unable to access them online, please contact us on 8362 8443 or Librarian@ hepatitissa.asn.au.
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Aging and Hepatitis C Hep C Support Project, San Francisco, 2015. (8p) www.bit.ly/agingandhepc In general, ageing adults confront different issues than younger adults. The purpose of this guide is to provide information that addresses the needs of older adults living with HCV. It is primarily a starting place: the intention is to explore this area and to stimulate a discussion between older HCV patients and their medical team. Double jeopardy: older injecting opioid users in Australia AIVL, Canberra, 2011. (36p) bit.ly/doublejeopardy_older The idea for this discussion paper was first suggested by members of AIVL’s constituency, many of whom are reaching older age themselves. It aims to explore the experience of advancing age from a drug user perspective and to examine the interrelationship between ageing and illicit drug use. The concurrent trajectories of ageing and illicit drug use can combine to create a set of unique outcomes for older opioid users – resulting for many in a state of “double jeopardy”.
Drug use and risk among older adults who regularly inject drugs. National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, Sydney, 2016. (4p) www.bit.ly/opwid Past year drug use, substance use disorder, substance treatment utilisation and overall healthcare utilisation are expected to increase by 2020 in older adult drug users, predominantly due to the ageing of the baby boomer cohort and extended life expectancy. Recent illicit drug use (i.e. last 12 months) among older Australians has increased over the past decade, in contrast to other age groups where drug use has declined Age-specific considerations into the care and treatment options provided needs attention in Australia to adequately service this ageing population.
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Hepatitis C and Ageing: a community brief Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society, La Trobe University, Melbourne, 2014. (25p) www.bit.ly/hepc_ageingbrief (hard copies also in our library 7.9 ARC 3) This interview-based research conducted with key stakeholders in the Australian hepatitis C sector aimed to identify key issues and challenges relating to ageing and hepatitis C. Exploring the needs of people with hepatitis C as they age needs to occur as a matter of urgency, as older people with hepatitis C are a hidden population. A comprehensive, strategic approach to hepatitis C and ageing is needed to ensure that the needs of older people with hepatitis C do not continue to go unrecognised.
Preventing and reducing alcohol- and other drugrelated harm among older people: A practical guide for health and welfare professionals. National Centre for Education and Training on Addiction (NCETA), Flinders University, Adelaide, 2015. (81p) www.bit.ly/aodharm_ olderpeople Many older people with substance use problems have physical and mental health comorbidities and are vulnerable to interactions between prescribed and nonprescribed substances. This guide was developed to assist specialist and generalist clinicians to assess and respond to the needs of older people experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, alcoholand other drug-(AOD) related harm. The unique requirements of different age groups need to be addressed. Those aged 55-65, 66-80 and 80+ may have had diverse life experiences and be at very different places in their life’s journey. Similarly, those from different cultural backgrounds may have specific needs, as will Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders.
Supporting older people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds Social Policy Research Centre and The Benevolent Society, Sydney, 2013. (10p) bit.ly/oldercaldsupport The aim of this briefing paper is to provide information for community care practitioners who work with older people from CALD backgrounds. It distils evidence from research to guide community care workers and managers in their day-to-day work with older people in the community. It gives an overview of common issues, barriers to use of services and how to tailor service provision so as to be culturally appropriate. Working with older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people Neuroscience Research Australia and The Benevolent Society, Sydney, 2014. www.benevolent.org.au/~/ media/5D30EB251FC3BACC F1B73DF61E07A9A8.ashx This briefing presents evidence from research to guide mainstream community aged care organisations and practitioners on working in a respectful and culturally sensitive manner with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. It aims to help enhance the quality of care by ensuring it is underpinned by reflection, knowledge, understanding and respect.
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Affected by hepatit
Affected by hepatitis C? Photo © S. Allen
Calming the C • Information and support in a confidential, friendly environment • Speak to others who have had treatment • Partners, family and friends welcome
Now meeting at HACKNEY, ELIZABETH HACKNEY PORT ADELAIDE and PORT ADELAIDE Wonggangga Turtpandi, 3 Hackney For Rd information, phone 8362 8443 Church St & Dale St 12.30–2.30pm See over forcnr dates 12–2pm • Tuesday, 9 May • • • • • • • •
Tuesday, 6 June Tuesday, 4 July Tuesday, 1 August Tuesday, 29 August Tuesday, 26 September Tuesday, 24 October Tuesday, 21 November Tuesday, 19 December
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• • • • • • • • •
Tuesday, 2 May Tuesday, 30 May Tuesday, 27 June Tuesday, 25 July Tuesday, 22 August Tuesday, 19 September Tuesday, 17 October Tuesday, 14 November Tuesday, 12 December
Hepatitis C peer educators are also available to provide information and support to clients at the following services:
DASSA Central Services Hepatitis C Treatment Clinic 91 Magill Rd, Stepney Tuesdays 9–12am DASSA Central Pharmacy Thursdays 9–12am • Information and support in a confi
Calming the friendly environment
DASSA Southern Service • Speak to others who have had trea 82 Beach Rd,• Partners, family and friends welcom Christies Beach Monday monthly 10am–1pm Upcoming dates: Now meeting at HACKNEY, ELIZ Ring Lisa on 8362 8443 and PORT ADELAIDE for details
For information, phone 8362 for dates
DASSA Northern Service See over 22 Langford Dr, Elizabeth Thursday fortnightly 10am–12pm Upcoming dates: Ring Lisa on 8362 8443 for details Hutt Street Centre 258 Hutt St, Adelaide Wednesday weekly 10am–12.30pm WestCare Centre 17 Millers Court (off Wright St), Adelaide Wednesday weekly 10.30am–12.30pm
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Useful Services & Contacts Hepatitis SA Free education sessions, printed information, telephone information and support, referrals, clean needle program and library. (08) 8362 8443 admin@hepatitissa.asn.au www.hepsa.asn.au Hepatitis SA Helpline 1800 437 222 (cost of a local call) Adelaide Dental Hospital A specially funded clinic provides priority dental care for people with hepatitis C with a Health Care Card. Call Hepatitis SA on 1800 437 222 for a referral. beyondblue Mental health information line
Hutt St Centre Showers, laundry facilities, visiting health professionals, recreation activities, education and training, legal aid and assistance services provided to the homeless.
P.E.A.C.E. HIV and hepatitis education and support for people from nonEnglish speaking backgrounds.
258 Hutt St, Adelaide SA 5000 (08) 8418 2500
SA Sex Industry Network Promotes the health, rights and wellbeing of sex workers.
Lifeline National, 24-hour telephone counselling service.
(08) 8351 7626
13 11 14 (cost of a local call) www.lifeline.org.au
SAMESH South Australia Mobilisation + Empowerment for Sexual Health www.samesh.org.au
Mental Health Crisis Service 24 hour information and crisis line available to all rural, remote and metropolitan callers. 13 14 65
1300 224 636 www.beyondblue.org.au
MOSAIC Counselling service For anyone whose life is affected by hepatitis.
Clean Needle Programs in SA For locations visit the Hepatitis SA Hackney office or call the Alcohol and Drug Information Service.
(08) 8223 4566
1300 131 340 Community Access & Services SA Alcohol and drug education; clean needle program for the Vietnamese and other communities. (08) 8447 8821
Nunkuwarrin Yunti An Aboriginal-controlled, citybased health service with clean needle program and liver clinic.
(08) 8245 8100
Youth Health Service Free, confidential health service for youth aged 12 to 25. Youth Helpline: 1300 13 17 19 Parent Helpline: 1300 364 100 Vincentian Centre Men’s night shelter run by St Vincent de Paul Society. Assistance hotline: 1300 729 202
(08) 8406 1600 Viral Hepatitis Community Nurses Care and assistance, education, streamline referrals, patient support, monitoring and follow-ups. Clients can self-refer. Contact nurses directly for an appointment.
headspace Mental health issues are common. Find information, support and help at your local headspace centre
Central
1800 650 890 www.headspace.org.au
Lucy - 0401 717 971 Trish - 0413 285 476
Margery - 0423 782 415 margery.milner@health.sa.gov.au Jeff - 0401 717 953 North
South
Rosalie - 0466 777 876 rosalie.altus@fmc.sa.gov.au Emma - 0466 777 873
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Entertain with Us
The 2017–18 Entertainment Books are now available, and you can support Hepatitis SA at the same time as saving on a huge range of restaurants, events and activities. Discover thousands of valuable up to 50% off and 2-for-1 offers for many of the best restaurants, cafés, arts, attractions, hotels, travel, shopping and much more. Choose your way with the following: •
The traditional Entertainment Book Membership that comes with the Gold Card and vouchers.
•
The Entertainment Digital Membership that puts the value of the Entertainment Book into your iPhone or Android smartphone!
Available now, the NEW 2017–2018 Adelaide Entertainment Memberships sell for just $70 and you’ll receive over $20,000 in valuable offers you can use until 1 June, 2018. •
•
•
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CONTEMPORARY DINING: All offers 2-FOR1 or 25% OFF at over 150 restaurants!
•
CASUAL RESTAURANT AND FAMILY DINING: All offers 2-FOR-1 or 25% OFF at over 300 pubs and cafes!
ARTS, SPORTS AND ATTRACTIONS: All offers 2-FOR-1 or up to 50% OFF at over 60 attractions!
•
TRAVEL: Valuable and exclusive leisure offers for over 2,000 resorts and hotels across Australia and New Zealand-airlines, car and motor home hire, theme parks, travel insurance, cruises and much more.
INFORMAL DINING AND TAKEAWAY: All offers 2-FOR-1 or up to 50% OFF at over 60 takeaway and fast food chains!
•
SHOPPING: Popular online and local retailers offering discounted gift cards, magazine subscriptions, florists, fashion, jewellery and more.
Just visit www. entertainmentbook.com. au/orderbooks/1s60114 or follow the link from our homepage at hepsa.asn.au.
HEPATITIS SA COMMUNITY NEWS 73 • April 2017
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