Associate Professor Paul Gow talks Fatty Liver on 3AW's healthy living Program

Associate Professor Paul Gow talks Fatty Liver on 3AW

We talk to Adrian Farrugia from the Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society, La Trobe University. 

Adrian’s research focuses on opioid overdose and take-home naloxone, experiences of hepatitis C treatment, and young people’s drug consumption and drug education. 

And he is currently researching the uptake and experiences of hepatitis C treatment in Australia. This qualitative project collects the stories of people affected by hepatitis C to understand the meanings of treatment and identify impediments to uptake in an era focused on elimination.

An Interview with Dr Adrian Farrugia on Hepatitis C impediments to treatment

Jen Anderson estimates she contracted hepatitis C in the late 1970s. She was later diagnosed in the early 1990s before seeking treatment in 2012, feeling optimistic about break-through antiviral medication. 

In this 15-minute question-and-answer, Jen Anderson speaks to RMIT student journalist Indiana Hansen about her personal experience living with hepatitis C, as well as her professional experience as a nurse in the sector. Jen unpacks how things have changed within the hepatitis C space over the years, sharing her views on care and treatment alongside hepatitis C elimination targets. She reflects on being cured of the virus saying, “the weight off my shoulders of becoming cured from hepatitis C was indescribable”.

Jen Anderson: A Lived Experience Story

Mandy Ritchie, Bendigo local, was diagnosed with Hepatitis C during her first pregnancy.  Now, she seeks to help those at risk of contracting the virus.

Podcast produced by Tyler Wright

Mandy was diagnosed with hepatitis C during her first pregnancy

When Chloe went to her GP to have a hepatitis B test she was diagnosed with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. While this came as a surprise to Chloe, statistically it’s not unusual. 1 in 4 people in Victoria have fatty liver disease, and this number is rising.
The burden of this disease in Australia, and most developed countries, manifests in increasing levels of advanced liver disease and primary liver cancer. So why don’t we know more about it?

Chloe Talks with us about non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Thomas Tu talks to us about his experiences as a researcher for hepatitis B, his lived experience, and his community: HepBCommunity.org

You're not alone with hep B: An interview with Thomas Tu

After nearly a decade at the helm of firstly Hepatitis Victoria and then LiverWELL, Melanie Eagle has announced that she will leave the organisation. Melanie has brought decades of experience in community, advocacy and management, and under Melanie’s leadership, LiverWELL has grown significantly.

Melanie Farewell Podcast

Dr. Tram Tran gives us an inside look into new developments regarding the diagnosis of NASH

#NavigatingHealth with Siân Slade

Shane O'Sullivan's Lived Experience Story

Dominique Robert-Hendren - Hello Sunday Morning

Associate Professor Naiyang Fu from WEHI discusses his research into liver cancer with Paulette Trevena from LiverWELL.

Liver Cancer Research with Associate Professor Naiyang Fu

Meg Perrier,  Hepatitis B Outreach Project Officer is running a joint project with Cohealth and the Wingate Avenue Community Centre in Ascot Vale, to raise awareness about hepatitis B and get people at risk treated.

"...For those born overseas, more often than not they were born in countries with high endemic countries of hepatitis B," she says.

The project at Wingate Avenue has introduced an education program about the disease that has led to the testing of 80 community members, more than Meg and her team had anticipated, and a very welcome outcome.

"One of the biggest challenges was going through the process of developing the education and making sure the education was well received," she said.

Meg Perrier on raising awareness about hep B among CALD communities in Melbourne's north

Emily Male and Amy Hatfield are Monash University students working as interns at Hepatitis Victoria. Emily also does volunteer work with Fitzroy Legal Service. They both have an interest in law reform. 

Their research at Hepatitis Victoria explores stigma and barriers people face post-cure of hepatitis C. in particular The Australian Red Cross Blood Service Blood Donation Guidelines.

Discrimination in the blood: Why can't people who have fully recovered from hep C donate?

Our own dear Paul Gow, the Chair of Hepatitis Victoria's Liver Health Advisory Committee from Austin Health was interviewed on ABC Nightlife on October 15 talking all things liver health.

He answered an array of fascinating questions touching on nutrition, lifestyle and fatty liver disease, alcohol and the liver, and the need to be mindful of medicines and health supplements.

Dr Paul Gow talks all things the liver and answers call-in questions on ABC Nightlife

Melanie Eagle spoke on JOYFM on 22 December about the recent Hepatitis A outbreak in Australia, and discusses what people can do to avoid getting hepatitis A.

A free vaccine is currently available in Victoria for men who have sex with men.

Saturday Magazine

Melanie Eagle talks on JOYFM about a recent Hepatitis A outbreak in Australia

Judith Gorst works at the Prahran Market Clinic as a Practice Nurse and Counsellor. She is in daily contact with people who have been affected by HIV and hepatitis C.

In her Stigma Story, Judith unpacks the difficulties that stigma adds to an already complex situation for many of her patients who are living with a blood borne virus. 

Judith talks about the stress and uncertainty her patients often experience when it comes to disclosing to family, friends, employers, and others in the community. 

She highlights the importance of considering the positives and negatives that could come from disclosing your status to someone, and to recognise that most people don’t actually have to tell anyone - if they choose not to. 

This realisation is often an important first step in regaining autonomy and self-determination over a one’s condition.

Stigma & healthcare: Should you disclose your hepatitis status?

Jules Cassidy has been an advocate for viral hepatitis, harm reduction, and mental health for decades.
 
She lived with hepatitis C from as early as the 1980’s, and was cured just a few years ago. 

Jules reflects on how hepatitis C and the stigma that sometimes came with it added to the many complexities of her life.

Julie's stigma story

Andree tells us, when her doctor had written ‘HEP C POSITIVE’ on a pathology slip, which she unknowingly carried in her bag for some time. 

Upon realising, Andre stated she was shocked and explains about the negative repercussions this unwanted disclosure could’ve had on her, or anyone else in a similar situation.

She talks about the lack of education on these matters that is still evident in the healthcare system, and notes that complaining is an option in response.

Andree's story

Cr Lucinda Congreve is the Mayor of Brimbank, one of the most culturally diverse areas of Victoria. She opened the HEPReady Forum in Brimbank on Thursday 7 March.

In this short podcast, Cr Congreve talks about the multiple health challenges in Brimbank and what her Council is doing in response.

"We have a new health and wellbeing centre in St Albans with a whole range of wrap-around services for the community and it might be we consider treating hepatitis at the centre," she said.

Brimbank Mayor Cr Lucinda Congreve talks community health

Will Scott has worked as both a volunteer and staff member at Hepatitis Victoria. 

In this short interview he reflects on what he has learnt and gained from working for a dynamic and fast-paced non-for-profit.

He also talks about his own personal experience of overcoming viral hepatitis, and gives advice for those thinking of volunteering or working for the organisation.

Will Scott on his five years as a HepVic volunteer and employee

On 19 April, World Liver Day, Melanie Eagle was interviewed by presenter Chris Smith from radio 2GB in Sydney about the launch of Eating Well: A LiverWELL™  Guide.

Melanie explains the kind of recipes are in the book, as well as the hints and tips for good liver health. She talks about why it is so important to look after your liver especially as an estimated 6 million Australians have the beginnings of liver disease.

The Chris Smith Show

Melanie Eagle interviewed on Radio 2GB about the launch of the Eating Well Guide

Melanie Eagle was interviewed on World Liver Day on the launch of Eating Well: A LiverWELL™ Lifestyle Guide by Chris Isley on Perth radio station 6PR. 

Melanie explains what's in the Guide and why it is an urgently needed resource.

Melanie Eagle interviewed 6PR Perth Radio World Liver Day

Helen Tran is a Hepatitis Victoria Project Officer working to raise awareness about hepatitis B in Victoria's Vietnamese community and encourage people to get blood tests, vaccinations and timely treatment.

"Liver cancer is very prevalent among Australian-Vietnamese and hepatitis is one of the main reasons," she says.

Helen has been speaking to groups such as the Vietnamese Arthritis Association, and she has been pleasantly surprised by the number of people who tell her after her session that they will get a blood test and vaccination.

"Presentations to community groups need to be made fun, no more than 20-30 minutes long and there should be ample time allowed for questions from the audience," she says. 

In addition, the language barrier can be a big problem when speaking to communities. 

"If they can't understand completely it can't help them take action," she says.

Helen Tran on working with the Vietnamese community in Victoria

Every year the 28th July is World Hepatitis Day, when we remind ourselves that this preventable disease kills more than a million people globally every year, yet it can be managed and cured with more awareness, support and funding.

Even in Victoria over 70,000 people are unaware they are living with viral hepatitis.

On 25 July Hepatitis Victoria CEO Melanie Eagle spoke on ABC Radio's Overnight program to Trevor Chappell about what is viral hepatitis, why it is ignored and whywe need more awareness.

World Hepatitis Day 2019: Melanie Eagle talks to Trevor Chappell on ABC Radio Overnight

Margaret Littlejohn is a medical scientist at the Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory, where she does research and diagnostic work into the hepatitis B virus.

Together with Associate Professor Steven Tong of the  University of Melbourne and other colleagues, she recently published a fascinating paper entitled 'What hepatitis B tells us about the migration of ancient humans'. 

The viral genetics of Hepatitis B is helping to trace the history and movement of Australia’s first people back at least 51,000 years

“We found the precursor of the modern HBV C4 -the strain of hepatitis B that is mostly found in Indigenous Australians- that virus entered Australia 51,000 years ago. 

During the research “…we sequenced a lot of the viruses from different communities and what we noticed was this amazing geographical clustering…and from that work we did some computer analysis of the sequences that allowed us to date when the ancestor of that first virus would have arisen…and it allowed us to put forward a model of which direction it came into Australia,” she said.

“Hepatitis B has the characteristics of being an ancient human pathogen, it has a very long period of latency and then moves into chronic disease and causes problems when people are past reproductive age, so that allows the virus to be passed on even in small populations and presumably in hunter gatherer populations.”

Margaret says that endorsement for the research from the Indigenous community has been critical. 

“(Our research) has raised the profile of hepatitis B in the communities, which is important because there are a lot of people out there who do not know they have either hepatitis B and C,” she said.

Margaret Littlejohn: Incredible ancient secrets of the hepatitis B virus

Health Promotion Project Officer, Isabelle Purcell was interviewed on 3CR Community Radio about the positive changes in migration rules for people living with viral hepatitis who want to apply for permanent residency in Australia.

She talks about what the changes mean and why they are an important change for anyone with a chronic condition.

Isabelle Purcell on 3CR radio talking liver health and recent migration rule changes

Lewis Stieven-Taylor is a La Trobe University student studying for a Bachelor of Health Science majoring in rehabilitation counselling. As part of his course, he is required to complete 80-120 hours of a work placement as an intern which he completed at Hepatitis Victoria focused on health promotion.

Lewis says his internship exceeded his expectations in many ways.
“For anyone with an interest in health promotion I would highly recommend they look into Hepatitis Victoria because it has been, at every step, fun engaging and extremely educational. I have come on leaps and bounds in my knowledge of health promotion and improved a lot of the related skills that come with it,” says Lewis.

“On top of that, the mentor-ship here from my supervisor Ali has been phenomenal, he has been at every stage, very open and aware of the tasks he is setting me, making sure I understand what is expected and always available for me to ask questions. He has also tailored the tasks to ensure they are beneficial for my future career, and also to a help achieve the academic aims of the university.”

"leaps and bounds..." Lewis Stieven-Taylor talks about his Hepatitis Victoria internship

This podcast was first published on Pursuit. Read the original article.
https://pursuit.unimelb.edu.au/podcasts/exposing-the-hepatitis-b-virus

Researchers Professor Peter Revill and Dr Thomas Tu are on front line of global efforts to find a cure; helped by Dr Tu developing a new method to better detect the virus’ ‘master blueprint’.

Exposing the hepatitis B virus: A University of Melbourne podcast

Dr Alex Hodge is a gastroenterologist and expert in chronic liver disease. He has a special interest in obesity and the many ways to combat it. 

'I look at what fat can do inside the liver and what fat means for the patient outside the liver," he says. 

"Inside it can eventually cause fibrosis and cirrhosis, outside its a risk factor for developing diabetes."

Dr Hodge also talks about the health benefits of drinking more than four cups of coffee a day, and the bad news about alcohol.

"All the studies of coffee have been positive studies... and show that there’s an association between coffee consumption and improvement in various liver parameters...if you give people four or more cups of coffee a day, they have less liver cancer, less liver fibrosis.

"It’s caffeinated coffee we are talking about so it could be instant coffee, expresso-based coffee or filtered."

Dr Hodge also gives some broader health tips to keep your liver in top shape.

Dr Alex Hodge talks fatty liver, NASH & tips for best liver health

Dr Marno Ryan is a Gastroenterologist and Hepatologist with a special interest in fatty liver disease which is fast becoming a serious health issue not only in Australia but throughout the world.

She says that despite 30% of the population in Australia having the disease, not everyone will go on to develop more serious liver issues such as non-alcoholic steato-hepatitis (NASH).

But for those who do develop NASH, losing between 5-10% of body weight can make a really positive difference she says.

Listen to find out the best diet and drinks for liver health.

Dr Marno Ryan on how 5-10% weight loss can make all the difference

Sharon Gibson & Keith Ritchie Gippsland FM (104.7) interview Melanie Eagle about World Hepatitis Day and why people could be at risk of liver damage.

Why ending hepatitis matters for your liver?

Jennifer MacLachlan, Senior Epidemiologist at The Doherty Institute shares the reports latest findings on the the prevalence of viral hepatitis, the need to increase diagnosis, treatment & care, and how targeted engagement based on the  latest regional data can help drive an increase in testing.
https://ashm.org.au/resources/hcv-resources-list/viral-hepatitis-mapping-project-national-report-2018-2019/

Music: ‘Solar Power’ by Zucchini Clan. Used in agreement with the artists.

Viral Hepatitis Mapping Project National Report

We talk to Steve Allsop about the changing perceptions around drug law in Australia, what this could look like and what is important to take into consideration. 

In our conversation we also discussed the vital importance of addressing stigma and discrimination and improving access to drug and alcohol treatment services alongside broader change.

LiverWELL

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