Center for Disease Analysis Foundation Awards Second Round of Grants for the CDAF-Relink Program

Rhea-AI Summary

The Center for Disease Analysis Foundation (CDA Foundation) has awarded $1.8 million in grants to 11 organizations as part of the CDAF-Relink program. This initiative aims to reconnect US-based individuals infected with hepatitis C (HCV) or hepatitis B (HBV) to care. The program is sponsored by an $8 million grant from Gilead Sciences (GILD). The second round of grants builds on the successes and lessons learned from the first round, implementing evidence-based approaches and emphasizing knowledge sharing. The goal is to link an estimated 5,400 diagnosed but untreated HCV and HBV infected individuals back into physicians' care. The third round of proposals will open in August 2024, with priority given to state health agencies.

Positive

• CDAF-Relink program awarded $1.8 million in grants to 11 organizations
• Program aims to reconnect 5,400 diagnosed but untreated HCV and HBV patients to care
• Gilead Sciences (GILD) provided an $8 million grant to sponsor the program

Negative

• None.

Public Health Expert

The CDAF-Relink program's second round of grants, totaling $1.8 million, marks a significant step in addressing the critical issue of hepatitis C (HCV) and hepatitis B (HBV) in the United States. This initiative, targeting the reconnection of diagnosed but untreated individuals to care, addresses a key barrier in achieving viral hepatitis elimination targets.

The program's scope is impressive, with 11 diverse organizations receiving funding across multiple states. This broad reach suggests a comprehensive approach to tackling the issue on a national scale. The inclusion of various types of institutions - from state health agencies to academic medical centers - indicates a multi-faceted strategy that could lead to more effective outcomes.

Of particular interest is the emphasis on evidence-based approaches and knowledge sharing. This focus on leveraging successful interventions and data collection models could significantly enhance the program's efficacy. The estimated reconnection of 5,400 diagnosed but untreated individuals to care is a substantial target that could have meaningful public health implications.

However, it's important to note the challenges mentioned, such as identifying infected individuals from medical records and navigating personal and institutional barriers to care. These obstacles highlight the complexity of the task at hand and the need for innovative solutions.

The prioritization of state health agencies in the next funding round suggests a strategic shift towards leveraging governmental infrastructure, which could potentially amplify the program's impact. This approach aligns with best practices in public health interventions, where collaboration with state-level entities often leads to more sustainable and far-reaching outcomes.

Healthcare Policy Analyst

The CDAF-Relink program represents a significant private-public partnership in addressing a critical public health issue. Funded by an $8 million grant from Gilead Sciences (Nasdaq: GILD), this initiative demonstrates how pharmaceutical companies can contribute to public health beyond drug development.

The program's focus on reconnecting diagnosed but untreated individuals to care addresses a important gap in the healthcare system. This 'loss to follow-up' phenomenon is a well-known challenge in chronic disease management and the CDAF-Relink program's targeted approach could serve as a model for other disease areas.

The diversity of grantees - including healthcare institutions, non-profits and state health agencies - suggests a comprehensive strategy that leverages various touchpoints in the healthcare ecosystem. This multi-stakeholder approach is likely to yield valuable insights into effective re-engagement strategies across different populations and healthcare settings.

The program's emphasis on evidence-based approaches and knowledge sharing is particularly noteworthy. By building on the successes and lessons learned from ongoing efforts, the program is positioning itself for continuous improvement and scalability. This iterative approach is important in public health interventions, where adaptability to local contexts and emerging challenges is key.

However, the success of this program will ultimately depend on its ability to overcome systemic barriers in healthcare access and delivery. While re-engaging patients is crucial, ensuring they have access to affordable treatment and ongoing care will be equally important for achieving long-term health outcomes and progressing towards viral hepatitis elimination goals.

LAFAYETTE, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- As part of the ongoing CDAF-Relink program to reconnect US-based individuals infected with hepatitis C (HCV) or hepatitis B (HBV) to care, the Center for Disease Analysis Foundation (CDA Foundation) is pleased to announce 1.8 million dollars in the second round of grants. The following 11 organizations are beneficiaries:

Organization			Organization Type			State
Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program			Healthcare Institution			MA
Central City Concern			Non-Profit			OR
Community HealthNet			Healthcare Institution			IN
Iowa Department of Health and Human Services			State Health Agency			IA
Montefiore Medical Center			Healthcare Institution			NY
Mount Sinai, Icahn School of Medicine			Healthcare Institution			NY
Prisma Health			Healthcare Institution			SC
Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital			Healthcare Institution			VA
University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus			Healthcare Institution			CO
University of Miami Miller School of Medicine			Healthcare Institution			FL
University of Southern California			Healthcare Institution			CA

“This award will allow us to add a Re-Engagement Specialist to our team,” stated Cody Shafer-Fritz, Lead Prevention Services Coordinator at Iowa Department of Health and Human Services. “The person in this role will work to connect individuals to treatment in a variety of settings throughout Iowa HHS’s existing partnerships. Treatment is a core strategy of our efforts to end the HCV epidemic in Iowa. We look forward to increasing our capacity to support the health and well-being of Iowans impacted by HCV.”

The CDAF-Relink program is sponsored by an eight-million-dollar grant from Gilead Sciences (Nasdaq: GILD) as part of Gilead’s Relink grant program. Around the world, relink programs have shown success in reconnecting HCV and HBV infected individuals to care. Challenges remain, nonetheless, the main ones being identifying infected individuals based on available medical records, successfully contacting them, and navigating personal and institutional barriers to care. Building on the successes and lessons learned from the ongoing efforts of round one grantees, round two and subsequent rounds will continue to implement evidence-based approaches, leveraging successful interventions and data collection models, while emphasizing knowledge and resource sharing.

“Hepatitis B and C infections are now the leading cause of death globally among all infectious diseases, and we have all the tools to eliminate these infections in the United States,” commented Homie Razavi, the Managing Director of CDA Foundation. “Loss of diagnosed but untreated patients is a major public health barrier in the U.S. to achieving the viral hepatitis elimination targets. Our second round of grantees will work with general and marginalized populations to link an estimated 5,400 diagnosed but untreated HCV and HBV infected individuals back into physicians’ care. We are grateful for all 25 applicants who took the time to submit a grant and will work with the organizations who were not funded to update their proposals for the next round of funding.”

The call for round three proposals will open in August 2024 with proposals from state health agencies given a priority. For more information, please visit https://cdafound.org/relink or contact the CDAF-Relink program at relink@cdafound.org.

About Center for Disease Analysis Foundation

CDA Foundation is a non-profit organization that seeks to help eliminate HBV and HCV globally by 2030 by providing countries across the world with verified epidemiological data, disease burden and economic impact modeling, smart intervention strategies, access to affordable diagnostics and treatments, innovative financing, and knowledge-sharing partnerships to eliminate these deadly infections. It works with more than 110 countries globally and 26 US states on their viral hepatitis elimination programs. CDA Foundation is headquartered in Lafayette.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240729658449/en/

Homie Razavi

hrazavi@cdafound.org

Source: Center for Disease Analysis Foundation

FAQ

What is the CDAF-Relink program and how much funding did it receive from Gilead Sciences (GILD)?

The CDAF-Relink program is an initiative to reconnect US-based individuals infected with hepatitis C (HCV) or hepatitis B (HBV) to care. It received an $8 million grant from Gilead Sciences (GILD) to support its efforts.

How many organizations received grants in the second round of the CDAF-Relink program?

In the second round of the CDAF-Relink program, 11 organizations received grants totaling $1.8 million.

When will the call for the third round of CDAF-Relink program proposals open?

The call for the third round of CDAF-Relink program proposals will open in August 2024, with priority given to state health agencies.

How many diagnosed but untreated HCV and HBV infected individuals does the CDAF-Relink program aim to reconnect to care?

The CDAF-Relink program aims to link an estimated 5,400 diagnosed but untreated HCV and HBV infected individuals back into physicians' care.