Policy Resources
California Adult Viral Hepatitis Prevention Strategic Plan, 2010-2014 This report California Adult Viral Hepatitis Prevention Strategic Plan, 2010-2014, authored by California Adult Viral Hepatitis Prevention Coordinating Committee and State of California Department of Public Health Center for Infectious Diseases. In the spring of 2008, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), Center for Infectious Diseases (CID), Division of Communicable Disease Control (DCDC), Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD) Control Branch embarked upon a statewide strategic planning process for reducing the impact of viral hepatitis among adults in California. More than 80 representatives from a broad range of State agencies, local health departments, community-based organizations, and membership organizations came together to develop a framework for a coordinated, comprehensive approach to preventing the transmission of viral hepatitis and limiting the progression and complications of chronic hepatitis B and C in California. (December 2009) Hepatitis and Liver Cancer: A National Strategy for Prevention and Control of Hepatitis B and C This report the Hepatitis and Liver Cancer: A National Strategy for Prevention and Control of Hepatitis B and C, authored by Heather M. Colvin and Abigail E. Mitchell, Editors; Committee on the Prevention and Control of Viral Hepatitis Infections; Institute of Medicine. The IOM is an independent, nonprofit organization that works outside of government to provide unbiased and authoritative advice to decision makers and the public. This report recommends ways to boost awareness among health care and social service providers as well as the general public with a campaign similar to the effort that succeeded in increasing recognition, prevention, and treatment of HIV/AIDS. The report also outlines steps to improve screening, vaccination, treatment, and control of viral hepatitis. The Institute of Medicine (January 2010). Syringe Exchange in California: Policy, Programs and Progress This policy brief was written by Glenn Backes, MSW, MPH, and Martha Saly, MDOD, and published by the Center for Health Improvement. The authors recommend that California do more to lift barriers to establishing Syringe Exchange Programs (SEPs) throughout the state. Despite overwhelming scientific evidence about the efficacy of SEPs in preventing the spread of HIV/AIDS, hepatitis C and other diseases, and the qualified support of two governors and the Legislature, a complex web of laws continues to makes it difficult to establish and fund SEPs in California, and for individuals to know whether the syringes provided to them by programs are legal or not. (August 2007; updated in June 2009) The State of Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Health in California Report This report from the California Asian Pacific Islander Joint Legislative Caucus, authored by scholars from the University of California AAPI Policy Multi-Campus Research Program Health Work Group, provides a wealth of data and analysis about health challenges in the diverse API community in California. "Liver cancer disproportionately strikes the AANHPI population at such alarmingly high rates that the cancer burden levied on AANHPIs is unmatched by other racial/ethnic health disparities in the U.S." (April 2009) Access to Sterile Syringes through San Francisco Pharmacies and the Association with HIV Risk Behavior among Injection Drug Users This study from the Journal of Urban Health determined the extent of pharmacy uptake in accessing syringes among injection drug users (IDUs) and estimated associations between pharmacy uptake and safer injection/disposal practices. Two years after the implementation of California’s Disease Prevention Demonstration Project, which removed restrictions to non-prescription syringe sales through pharmacies with local authorization, IDUs were recruited through street outreach in San Francisco and interviewed regarding recent syringe acquisition, use, and disposal (July 2010). SB 1159 Report: An Evaluation of Over-the-Counter Sale of Sterile Syringes in California California passed legislation (Senate Bill [SB] 1159) in 2004 to create a pilot disease prevention demonstration project (DPDP) between January 1, 2005 and December 31, 2010 that would allow pharmacists to sell syringes without prescriptions. In this report, the Office of AIDS provides a comprehensive description of the implementation and outcomes of this policy change,including documenting decisions of local governments, pharmacy participation, public health department successes and challenges, use of pharmacies by IDUs, safe and unsafe syringe discard practices, outcomes tied to blood-borne disease transmission, and an evaluation of any related negative outcomes as indicated by changes in drug use or crime. This article from the Journal of Urban Health reports on the aforementioned state-funded evaluation to assess the effects of SB 1159 from the perspectives of IDUs, pharmacists, and key stakeholders (July 2010). Policy Brief - Syringe Access Interventions This policy brief by Scott Burris, JD, published on Needle Exchange Knowledge Asset, a website created by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's Substance Abuse Policy Research Program, reports on how injection of illicit drugs using unsterile needles and syringes has been a significant source of HIV infection in the United States, contributing to nearly one-third of AIDS cases. The U.S. Public Health Service deems one-time-only use of sterile syringes essential to reducing rates of transmission among injection drug users. (January 2009) Syringe Access Reading List This resource list provides a wealth of information to support needle exchange programs and pharmacy sales of syringes as solid public health prevention methods for the prevention of hepatitis B, hepatitis C, HIV/AIDS and other blood borne diseases. From peer-reviewed journal articles to state, national and international reports/briefs, you can find it here. The list includes links or information on how to obtain the materials. Closing the Gap in Hepatitis B Prevention, Screening and Care and Closing the Gap in Hepatitis C Prevention, Screening and Care The National Viral Hepatitis Roundtable (NVHR) has prepared these advocacy briefs to give individuals the background they need to advocate for improved policies related to hepatitis B and C. (June 2010) What We Have Learned: Tips for Implementing SB 1159 Pharmacy Sale of Syringes in Cities and Counties By Valerie Rose, DrPH, MPH, and Glenn Backes, MSW, MPH. (2007) Take up the effort to save lives! A comprehensive strategy to control HIV and hepatitis C in your area must include syringe access through needle exchange or pharmacy sale of syringes without prescription. Preferably both. This “tip-sheet” is not a how-to guide, but a compendium of what we learned from interviews with policymakers, health department staff, and activists in 11 California counties that have, and have not, implemented SB 1159 pharmacy sale of syringes. Perhaps their experience will augment your skills and passion to establish better disease prevention policy in your city or county. Click to download more tips for implementing SB 1159 |
