Division of Viral Hepatitis (EIS 2023)

The Division of Viral Hepatitis (DVH), in collaboration with US and global partners, provides the scientific and programmatic foundation and leadership for prevention and control of viral hepatitis infections and their manifestations. DVH has a broad scope of domestic and global activities, including exciting outbreak investigations; surveillance programs; analytic, cost-effectiveness, vaccination, and behavioral studies; work to reduce health disparities; and the prevention and control of blood-borne, enteric, sexual, and chronic diseases.

Areas of emphasis:

• Characterizing the epidemiology of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, including nosocomial, perinatal, and sexual modes of transmission, along with hepatitis C incidence among people who inject drugs (PWID)
• Developing new strategies to prevent HCV infection
• Preventing sequelae of chronic hepatitis B and hepatitis C through early identification and management of cases
• Identifying divisional social determinants of health-related research gaps and generating the data needed to guide the prioritization of evidence-based interventions across programs and partnerships to reduce viral hepatitis health disparities
• Developing and implementing a plan for addressing disparities in access and uptake of hepatitis A and hepatitis B vaccine in settings that serve people who use drugs and people who are seeking care for STIs
• Reducing the rate of hepatitis C-related deaths among American Indian and Alaska Native persons and Non-Hispanic Black persons
• Evaluating the performance of hepatitis A and hepatitis B vaccines and the impact of vaccination programs in the United States and internationally
• Characterizing the epidemiology of hepatitis A
• Responding to viral hepatitis outbreaks
• Evaluating the natural history and spectrum of chronic hepatitis B and hepatitis C, access to care, and beneficial and adverse effects of evolving hepatitis therapy
• Defining morbidity and mortality due to chronic liver disease and liver cancer in the United States
• Addressing global health issues, including determining the burden of hepatitis B and hepatitis C, attributable chronic liver disease, and developing programs and strategies to eliminate viral hepatitis. Additional work focused on evaluating strategies to prevent infections related to unsafe injection practices, health care acquired infection, and increase detection and treatment and harm reduction services globally. Partnering to evaluate and improve hepatitis B vaccination programs, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC)