Current Projects:

1. Working closely with others in the public health community concerned with chronic liver disease in AI/ANs. Partners include representatives from: CDC, NIH, IHS, private, and academic clinicians and researchers.
2. Continuing to work on increasing availability of hepatitis C treatment for AI/ANs. Dr. Redd participates with Project ECHO, which is run by Dr. Sanjeev Arora of the University of New Mexico. The AI/AN specific portion of the project is coordinated at the Santa Fe Indian Hospital. The project delivers specialty GI services (via teleconference and Internet video) to IHS beneficiaries being treated for hepatitis C.
3. Conducting the Chronic Liver Disease in American Indians Study with CDC
4. Working with AI/AN Viral Hepatitis Integration Projects (VHIPS). These programs, of which there are currently five, focus on integrating viral hepatitis testing, prevention, and vaccination into existing correctional, HIV, STD and detoxification/rehabilitation programs.

VIRAL HEPATITIS INTEGRATION PROJECTS (VHIPS)
Five Viral Hepatitis Integration Projects (VHIPS) have been funded in various IHS, Tribal and Urban (ITU) Indian healthcare settings via an inter-agency agreement between the Indian Health Service and the CDC/NCID/DVH, as well as IHS Minority AIDS Initiative funding.

The purpose of the VHIPS is to provide viral hepatitis risk factor assessment, testing, vaccination, counseling, and referral services at Indian-specific settings in which they were not previously available. These programs operate in Alaska, Arizona, Montana, Oklahoma and Washington to: determine the feasibility of integrating hepatitis services into existing programs serving high-risk Indian populations; identify the most effective strategies for delivering these services; and, develop models of care that can be translated to other Indian health settings. When feasible, these projects also offer testing for HIV and STDs. A brief description of each project follows:

Tanana Chiefs Conference: Fairbanks, Alaska
Activity: This tribal consortium of interior Alaska tribes serves 43 Interior Alaska villages and the Fairbanks area through the Chief Andrew Isaac Health Care Center. The project conducts on-site screening, testing, immunization and counseling in rural villages in an effort to reach at-risk individuals who cannot access the main health care facility due to social and geographic considerations. Combined with an in-kind contribution from the site, funds support project personnel, supplies and travel to accomplish village visits.

Phoenix Indian Medical Center: Phoenix, Arizona
Activity: Screening, testing, immunization and pre- and post- test counseling for viral hepatitis take place in an IHS hospital setting with referrals to the STD clinic and in conjunction with the facility HIV Center of Excellence. Funds support one full-time public health nurse who performs testing, counseling and vaccinations.

Verne E. Gibbs Health Center: Poplar, Montana
Activity: Screening, testing, immunization and counseling for viral hepatitis and HIV take place in substance abuse treatment and tribal correctional settings to reach at-risk individuals in the Fort Peck tribal community. The local IHS clinic provides support for the laboratory, record-keeping and vaccination requirements of the project. Funds support one full-time project coordinator who performs testing, counseling and vaccinations.

Cherokee Nation Health Services: Tahlequah, Oklahoma
Activity: Screening, testing, immunization, pre-/post- test counseling for viral hepatitis and HIV with referral to IHS hepatitis C treatment clinics, where indicated. This program is based with the tribal health services department, but will work in conjunction with Oklahoma Area Indian Health Service facilities. Funding will support a full-time project coordinator as well as testing supplies and laboratory costs.

Seattle Indian Health Board: Seattle, Washington
Activity: Screening, testing, immunization and pre- and post- test counseling for viral hepatitis and HIV at an alcohol/drug detoxification center serving urban American Indians and others in Seattle, Washington. Funds support a VHIP health educator, purchase of vaccines and testing as well as travel for VHIP staff to national viral hepatitis meetings hosted by CDC.