Conversation with CDC’s Dr. Jono Mermin at the 2015 Summit on HCV & HIV

Content From: Ronald Valdiserri, M.D., M.P.H., Deputy Assistant Secretary for Health, Infectious Diseases, and Director, Office of HIV/AIDS and Infectious Disease Policy, U.S. Department of Health and Human ServicesPublished: June 19, 20151 min read

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Ronald Valdiserri

Dr. Ronald ValdiserriRecently, I had the opportunity to speak with my colleague Dr. Jonathan Mermin, Director of CDC’s National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, about the HIV and HCV outbreak in Indiana. This outbreak appears to reverse a multi-year trend in declining HIV infections among people who inject drugs (PWID) and also sheds light on recent CDC findings showing a significant increase in rates of acute hepatitis C infection in the United States. During our conversation, Jono and I also discuss the intersecting epidemics of prescription opioid abuse HIV and HCV infection and share perspectives on what other communities across the nation can learn from the Indiana outbreak.

We spoke during the 2015 National Summit on HCV and HIV Diagnosis, Prevention and Access to CareExit Disclaimer in Arlington, Virginia. The summit included a panel presentation about the Indiana outbreak, which you can view hereExit Disclaimer