Hepatitis C Prevention, Support & Research Program

The Hepatitis C Prevention, Support and Research Program (the Hepatitis C Program) was launched as a five year initiative in 1999 as part of the government's response to the report of the Commission of Inquiry on the Blood System in Canada (Krever Commission) . The Hepatitis C Program was originally scheduled to terminate on March 31, 2004; however, it received three separate one year extensions.

On May 14, 2008, The Honourable Tony Clement, Minister of Health announced the renewal of the Program with ongoing funding of $10.65 million annually. The funds were to be allocated to initiatives that address the Program's long term goal of improving population health, decreasing health disparities and reducing associated burden on the health system by:

• Contributing to the prevention of hepatitis C and related infections;
• Supporting persons infected with, affected by, at risk of and/or vulnerable to hepatitis C and related infections;
• Providing a stronger evidence base for policy and programming decisions;
• Addressing the risks associated with certain behaviours; and,
• Addressing issues of co-infection with related sexually-transmitted and blood-borne infections (STBBI) and tuberculosis (TB), common risk factors, and population health approaches to disease prevention and control.

National Component

The Public Health Agency of Canada's Hepatitis C Prevention, Support and Research Program is national in scope and shares responsibility for key initiatives with its regional offices and Health Canada's northern regional office. The national component of the Hepatitis C Program strives to strengthen federal leadership in the broad areas of:

• research and surveillance
• care and awareness
• prevention and community-based support

National Contact

If you have specific questions about the Public Health Agency of Canada's Hepatitis C-related activities, please contact the national office at HCV.VHC@phac-aspc.gc.ca

Regional Component - Community Action

Community Action refers to both a strong community-based response to the needs of persons infected with or affected by hepatitis C, as well as a strong role for community organizations in the national Hepatitis C Program. The activities under this component contribute to gaining a better understanding of the nature and effects of hepatitis C infection and how communities can provide support to those who are infected with or at increased risk of contracting hepatitis C.