welcome
The 8th Australasian Viral Hepatitis Conference marks a very exciting time for those who work in the viral hepatitis sector.
Currently, more than half a million New Zealanders and Australians have chronic viral hepatitis B or C, of whom less than 10% have received antiviral therapy. As this infected population ages, the proportion with cirrhosis and liver-related complications will grow.
Over the last 10 years, extremely effective and well tolerated oral antiviral therapies have become available for active chronic hepatitis B, however treatment numbers still remain unacceptably low as many patients remain undiagnosed or lack access to appropriate information and care.
In contrast to chronic hepatitis B, low treatment uptake in people living with chronic hepatitis C in part reflects concerns about safety and efficacy of current interferon-based therapies. The recently introduced triple therapies including boceprevir and telaprevir will hopefully improve acceptability of treatment for many of those affected.
These developments will redefine the criteria for treatment with removal of many, if not all, current contraindications to treatment, resulting in a sudden increase in demand for treatment. Regardless of the advances in antiviral treatment however, hepatitis B and C still remain complex social conditions.
Stigma and discrimination associated with hepatitis C remains a key challenge for all sectors, particularly health care. Engaging with new groups and communities to facilitate access to culturally competent hepatitis B care and treatment to those who need it most will be a continuing challenge.
Our challenge will be to develop new models of care that will meet this increased demand, and to provide options for clinical treatment in ways that are acceptable and attractive to those living with viral hepatitis, including a reinvigorated focus on the prevention of viral hepatitis.
This conference, with integrated programming of sessions and a plethora of international and local speakers, provides an opportunity for issues to be examined across all disciplines, as relevant to laboratory research, clinical care, public health initiatives, community and policy sectors, from Australia to New Zealand, the Asia Pacific and beyond.
It also provides you with a great opportunity to network and learn about new tools and techniques to improve your skills set; learn about processes or best practices to increase productivity and efficiency, emerging and new technologies and advancements in clinical approaches.
Come and meet us in Auckland in 2012 for the 8th Australasian Viral Hepatitis Conference and be inspired.
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