Background
The Indian Health Service (IHS) Viral Hepatitis and Liver Disease Section is a collaborative effort between the IHS and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The program is headquartered at the IHS Division of Epidemiology and Disease Prevention in Albuquerque, NM. Its services are available to American Indians and Alaska Natives nationwide, whether their health care is delivered by IHS, Tribal, or Urban health care facilities.

Section staff are assigned from the CDC National Center for Infectious Disease, Division of Viral Hepatitis. The Division of Viral Hepatitis provides scientific and programmatic foundation for the prevention, control, and elimination of hepatitis virus infections in the United States.

Goals

1. Conduct surveillance and special studies to determine the epidemiology and disease burden associated with liver disease, especially acute and chronic hepatitis virus infections, in US American Indians and Alaska Natives.
2. Conduct epidemiologic studies, including outbreak investigations, to determine risk factors, natural history, pathogenesis, and health impact of liver disease, especially viral hepatitis.
3. Conduct epidemiologic, clinical, behavioral, and health communications research to develop and evaluate methods and strategies for the prevention of liver disease, especially viral hepatitis.
4. Develop, implement, communicate and evaluate recommendations and standards for the prevention and control of liver disease, especially viral hepatitis.
5. Provide technical and programmatic leadership and assistance to the IHS, Tribal and Urban Indian healthcare system to develop, implement and evaluate programs to prevent liver disease and viral hepatitis, including: immunization to prevent hepatitis A virus infection and eliminate transmission of hepatitis B virus infection; prevention and control of hepatitis C virus infection through counseling, testing, and treatment; and programs to prevent and reduce the health impact of liver disease.
6. Provide the leadership and coordination required to integrate viral hepatitis prevention and control activities into existing programs which serve individuals at risk for viral hepatitis, HIV and STDs.
7. Disseminate information through health communications materials, tools and programs, scientific publications and presentations;
8. Provide training opportunities for Epidemic Intelligence Service Officers and others in CDC and IHS sponsored programs, including postgraduate students, post-doctoral fellows, and other public health and laboratory scientists

IHS Viral Hepatitis Program staff are also available to lead or assist with hepatitis outbreak investigations, and with vaccination and education efforts. We encourage those with questions or potential projects to contact us.