�ʹڲ�Ʊ

The Kirby Institute at �ʹڲ�Ʊ has received funding from the NHMRC to support a national research program guiding progress towards hepatitis C elimination.

A team from the Viral Hepatitis Clinical Research Program at the Kirby Institute at �ʹڲ�Ʊ Sydney, led by Associate Professor Behzad Hajarizadeh, has been awarded a $1.5 million Partnership Project grant from the National Health & Medical Research Council (NHMRC). The grant will support their efforts to eliminate viral hepatitis in prisons across Australia.

Although hepatitis C is curable with effective direct-acting antiviral (DAA) treatment, without this treatment, infection can lead to advanced liver diseases such as cirrhosis, liver failure, liver cancer and death. 

In Australia an estimated 68,900 people are living with chronic hepatitis C and are at risk of serious health concerns. People in prison, as well as people who inject drugs, are among the priority populations identified by the National HCV Strategy. The prevalence of hepatitis C among the prison population is 8% compared to less than 1% in the community, while people who inject drugs account for 90% of new cases and 80% of existing cases. 

While more than one-third of all DAA treatment in Australia takes place in prisons, there are significant differences in hepatitis C prevalence and clinical care in prisons across states and territories. The Partnership Project grant will fund a research program to assess the hepatitis C epidemics and the coverage of testing, treatment and prevention measures in prisons across each jurisdiction. 

Using these data, the grant will also evaluate the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of various prison-based hepatitis C management programs in each jurisdiction, which is essential for the development of jurisdiction-specific strategies and programs for hepatitis C elimination in prisons.

“This Partnership Project grant will allow us to collaborate with our partners from all jurisdictions and conduct an enhanced annual survey that provides a nationally representative evaluation of hepatitis C across the Australian prison network,” said Chief Investigator A/Prof. Hajarizadeh. 

“The resulting data will be invaluable in developing specific strategies and programs for different parts of the country and having a marked impact on the lives of people living with hepatitis C.”

Other chief investigators include Professor Andrew Lloyd, Dr Yumi Sheehan, Professor Greg Dore, Dr Marianne Martinello, Professor Jason Grebely, Associate Professor Richard Gray and Dr Sophy Shih from the Kirby Institute, as well as Professor Alex Thompson from the University of Melbourne, and Associate Professor Jane Davies from Menzies School of Health Research.

This project builds on long-term partnerships with the National Prisons Hepatitis Network (NPHN) and partner organisations such as Justice Health and Correctional sectors and healthcare providers.

“Through collaboration and targeted research, this project will ensure rapid and effective translation of the findings into policy and practice so that those most at risk receive the care they deserve,” said Professor Andrew Lloyd, a chief investigator on the grant and the chair of NPHN.  

“Collaboration is a core value of ours here at the Kirby Institute and is essential to generate impactful and comprehensive research outcomes,” said Scientia Professor Anthony Kelleher, Director of the Kirby Institute. 

“This Partnership Project grant is an outstanding opportunity to help move Australia closer towards a healthier, hepatitis-free future and I congratulate all those involved.” 

This project involves 21 collaborating partners, including service providers, community organisations, industry and policy makers in national and jurisdictional health and correctional sectors.

The NHMRC Partnership Project funding scheme supports researchers, policy makers, manager, clinicians and decision-makers work together to influence health and wellbeing through changes in the delivery, organisation, funding and access to health services.