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About HepFreeSC

Viral hepatitis (hepatitis A, B, and C) is a major health issue in South Carolina that affects a wide range of residents, often those who are underserved in health care.

More than 400 people are diagnosed with chronic hepatitis B each year, while the number of chronic hepatitis C cases has doubled in less than 10 years to over 6,000 cases per year. It is estimated that nearly 65,000 people in South Carolina are living with chronic hepatitis C. Nationally, the opioid epidemic is contributing to the increase in hepatitis C cases and South Carolina is experiencing an outbreak of hepatitis A among people who use injection or non-injection drugs, people experiencing homelessness, and men who have sex with men.

There are tools available to greatly reduce the transmission of viral hepatitis; they are needed now more than ever, and bringing together stakeholders from around the state is necessary to make an impact.

The goal of HepFreeSC is to unite community partners in an effort to work together to reduce the transmission of viral hepatitis and improve the lives of people living with viral hepatitis. HepFreeSC meetings facilitate sharing, brainstorming, and creativity to reach our goal.

In 2020-2021, HepFreeSC developed the South Carolina Viral Hepatitis Strategic Plan. Through the efforts of the workgroups (focused on policy, advocacy, data, prevention and screening, and treatment) and our partners, we are working to eliminate viral hepatitis in South Carolina. We are now in the process of drafting our plan for 2026-2030. 

• 2021-2025 Viral Hepatitis Elimination Strategic Plan

For questions and more information, please email ViralHepatitis@dph.sc.gov. 

Our 4 Committee Workgroups:

	Advocacy/Policy Increasing awareness and reducing stigma, and promoting state and institutional policies that decrease transmission and increase case detection.
	Data Improved monitoring and data distribution.
	Prevention Reducing transmission and increasing detection of viral hepatitis.
	Treatment Increasing the availability of treatment and improving outcomes.