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)

DVH Leadership and EIS Officers

Carolyn Wester
Carolyn Wester, MD, MPH

Director

Richard Davis
Richard Davis, MS

Deputy Director

Amy L. Sandul, DHSc, MPH
Amy L. Sandul, DHSc, MPH

Associate Director for Science

Paige Armstrong, MD, MHS
Paige Armstrong, MD, MHS

Associate Director for Global Health
(EIS 2015)

Karina Rapposelli, MPH
Karina Rapposelli, MPH

Associate Director for Policy & Communication

Priti Patel
Priti Patel, MD, MPH

Associate Director for Strategy and Implementation
(EIS 2002)

Neil Gupta, MD, MPH
Neil Gupta, MD, MPH

Chief, Epidemiology & Surveillance Branch
(EIS 2010)

Noele Nelson, MD, PhD, MPH
Noele Nelson, MD, PhD, MPH

Chief, Prevention Branch

Saleem Kamili, PhD
Saleem Kamili, PhD

Chief, Lab Branch

Emily Cartwright
Emily Cartwright

(EIS 2009)

Erin Conners, PhD, MPH
Erin Conners, PhD, MPH

(EIS 2018)

Laura Cooley, MD, MPH
Laura Cooley, MD, MPH

(EIS 2012)

Nathan Furukawa, MD, MPH
Nathan Furukawa, MD, MPH

(EIS 2018, Current Future Leaders in Infections and Global Health Threats [FLIGHT] Program

Megan Hofmeister, MD, MS, MPH
Megan Hofmeister, MD, MS, MPH

(EIS 2016)

Ruth Jiles, PhD, MS, MPH
Ruth Jiles, PhD, MS, MPH

(EIS 1991)

Martha Montgomery, MD, MHS
Martha Montgomery, MD, MHS

(EIS 2016)

Lakshmi Panagiotakopoulos, MD, MPH

Lakshmi Panagiotakopoulos, MD, MPH

Phil Spradling, MD
Phil Spradling, MD

(EIS 1999)

Eyasu Teshale, MD
Eyasu Teshale, MD

(EIS 2001)

Nicola Thompson, MSc, PhD
Nicola Thompson, MSc, PhD

(EIS 2006)

Mark Weng, MD, MSc
Mark Weng, MD, MSc

(EIS 2016)

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