Hip not Hep Youth Safer Tattooing and Piercing; Sharing Project Results with Stakeholders

The Hepatitis Outreach Society of Nova Scotia (HepNS), and partners, plan to host a 1.5 day in person event in late November, 2013 and a web-based event in January 2014. These events will bring together people from a variety of backgrounds to share and discuss current issues, research projects, and programs on hepatitis and youth in Atlantic Canada. Those attending the events will learn of the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) two-year funded project, Hip not Hep: Youth Safer Tattooing and Piercing project and similar (youth / hepatitis) projects in the Atlantic Provinces. This HepNS run project is aimed at Nova Scotian Youth aged 13-24 years with a goal of lowering the rate of infection of hepatitis in youth by helping them to increase their understanding of the general health risks and the specific hepatitis associated risks associated with tattooing and piercing. Day one of the event will involve sharing information about current research and activities in Atlantic Canada with respect to hepatitis prevention and youth. A panel discussion will provide the opportunity to discuss current issue in research, policy and hepatitis C prevention. The second morning will review the main points from day one and will have interactive smaller group sessions that will allow participants time to discuss issues and to collaborate on plan for future work which will be used to inform future activities targeting hepatitis education and prevention for youth. Additional in-person event and web-based event content may include: •Hepatitis, Youth, and Nova Scotia (government perspective) •Update on the Body Art Act •Current hepatitis research in Atlantic Canada •Hep'd up on Life, Native Council of PEI •Our Youth, Our Response report •Jer's Vision (Youth) National Hep C Forum, 'Dare to Stand Out' report •Breaking news: vaccine, treatment, research •Panel discussion: future funding, research directions