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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Terry Kaplan, MD, New Providence Women's Shelter Medical Clinic, Project Renewal, Inc., 225 East 45th Street, New York, NY 10017, 212-661-8934, tgkdam@netscape.net, Amy Yee, PharmD, College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Professionals, St. John's University, 8000 Utopia Parkway, Jamaica, NY 11439, John M. Conry, PharmD, BCPS, College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Professions, St. John's University, 8000 Utopia Parkway, Jamaica, NY 11439, Andrew Talal, MPH, MD, Weill Medical College, Cornell University, 525 E. 68th Street, J321, New York, NY 10021, and Brenda Merritt, MD, Medical Department, Project Renewal, Inc., 200 Varick Street, 9th Floor, New York, NY 10014.

While there is high prevalence of chronic hepatitis (B and C) among homeless drug users, this underserved population does not receive proper screening, let alone diagnosis and treatment. Project Renewal, a New York City not-for-profit organization dedicated to rehabilitating the chronically homeless, operates New Providence Shelter for 130 women coping with substance abuse, mental illness, and histories of incarceration. At New Providence, also the site of one of Project Renewal's Article 28 primary care clinics, we have created a unique and effective program to screen, diagnose, and treat hepatitis in these clients. Women entering the shelter are screened for hepatitis B and C. When necessary, they are vaccinated for hepatitis A and B. Those requiring treatment for chronic hepatitis are initiated on appropriate treatment. This program is unique given the substance abusing, street and shelter population we serve. Through partnership with Cornell University, we established a collaboration with a hepatologist who employs a harm reduction model, treating even those clients who are active drug users. Through partnership with St. John's University College of Pharmacy, we have two pharmacists who analyze data, measuring prevalence, follow-up, and treatment, and provide patient education. The pharmacists will also provide clients with medication adherence support, as the medication regimens for hepatitis are especially demanding. Our comprehensive hepatitis management program is a unique, best practices model for treating homeless substance abusers. Our program also highlights the efficacy of academic and community health partnerships in meeting healthcare needs of marginalized populations.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to

• Define the prevalence of hepatitis among chronically homeless, substance abusing women.
• Articulate best practices procedure model screening, diagnosis, and vaccination of hepatitis among chronically homeless drug users.
• Describe how to treat homeless substance abusers for hepatitis using a harm reduction model.

Keywords: Hepatitis C, Drug Abuse

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered