New York State Department of Health Celebrates Those Cured of Hepatitis C and Urges Testing on Hepatitis Cure Day

Hepatitis C Treatment is Available and Cures Most People in as Little as Eight Weeks

New York Recognizes Hepatitis C Cure Day on May 21 During Hepatitis Awareness Month in May

Department Celebrates Historic Milestones in Hepatitis Prevention

ALBANY, N.Y. (May 21, 2026) - The New York State Department of Health is celebrating Hepatitis Cure Day and the New Yorkers who have been cured of hepatitis C and encourages everyone to get tested and learn their status. In its 125-year legacy, New York State has been dedicated to protecting and improving the lives of New Yorkers.

"Hepatitis C is curable, but because the disease often has no symptoms in the beginning, the first step toward a cure is to get tested and to know your status," State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said. "If left untreated, hepatitis C can lead to serious long-term complications, including liver failure and even death. A new point of care fingerstick blood test can provide answers in under an hour. The medications that are available work well and lead to a cure in over 95 percent of cases. I encourage everyone to get tested and help stop the spread of viral hepatitis."

Although there is no vaccine to prevent hepatitis C, treatment is available that is easy to take and cures most people in as little as eight weeks.

Following the expansion of New York's Hepatitis C Testing Law in 2024, hepatitis C screening is now required for all adults and all pregnant people during each pregnancy. In addition, all individuals under 18 years of age with an identified risk for hepatitis C must all be offered a hepatitis C screening test.

New York State's investment in the new point-of-care hepatitis C diagnostic testing technology in 2025 allows individuals to know their hepatitis C status in under one hour. All drug user health hubs utilize this new testing technology.

New York's Viral Hepatitis Strategic Plan aims to maximize opportunities to eliminate new hepatitis A, B and C infections and improve the quality of life for individuals living with viral hepatitis.

Dr. Brianna Norton, Deputy Medical Director, Office of the Medical Director, AIDS Institute, New York State Department of Health said,"Closing the gaps in care and increasing access to treatment can only be achieved by addressing the social and structural barriers preventing people from accessing prevention services and curative treatment. Our commitment to eliminating health disparities aims to reduce stigma associated with hepatitis C and ensure everyone has timely access to testing and timely treatment."

Over the years, the Department has implemented a coordinated, comprehensive and systemic approach to decrease the incidence and reduce the morbidity and mortality of viral hepatitis including the following milestones:

  • 2002: New York State received dedicated funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for hepatitis C prevention and surveillance activities.
  • 2012: New York State launches its Hepatitis C Screening Program.
  • 2014: The New York State Hepatitis C Testing Law goes into effect, requiring all people born between 1945 and 1965 to be offered a hepatitis C screening test.
  • 2020: New York State Medicaid removes prior authorization for hepatitis C treatment.
  • 2021: New York State Hepatitis C Elimination Plan is released.
  • 2022: New York State Hepatitis C Dashboard is launched to track New York State's progress toward eliminating hepatitis C by 2030.

Moving forward, the World Health Organization has set certain goals to achieve hepatitis C elimination worldwide by 2030. New York has used many of these same goals to track elimination including the following:

  • 90 percent reduction in people living with hepatitis C.
  • 90 percent of people living with hepatitis C will be diagnosed.
  • 80 percent of diagnosed hepatitis C infections will be treated or will have cleared infection.
  • 65 percent reduction in liver related deaths.
  • 90 percent reduction in new hepatitis C infections.

In recognition of Hepatitis Cure Day on May 21, during Hepatitis Awareness Month in May, New Yorkers are sharing their personal journeys, attesting that curing hepatitis C has allowed them to live fuller, healthier lives.

Erik K., a person cured of hepatitis C said, "What I want people to know about Hepatitis C is being tested and treated can not only change but save your life. Being cured of hepatitis C means; Freedom. I no longer carry fear or uncertainty about my health and have another chance at a healthy life. Since being cured there has been a physical and emotional weight lifted. Not only do I feel better physically, it has also brought peace to myself and my family."

Mark P., a person cured of hepatitis C said,"What I want people to know is that hepatitis C can affect anyone, and a lot of people have it for years without even knowing. Knowing your status can help avoid the spread of the virus, so getting tested is important for everyone. I think a lot of people avoid testing or treatment because of fear or stigma but getting cured changed my life in a big way. This cure is another step in the right direction; leaving the past behind and working on a better me."

While curative treatment is available, large gaps in testing and treatment persist, driven by misinformation about treatment, stigma and other social determinants of health. Of the estimated 116,000 people living with hepatitis C in New York State, many are unaware of their infection and therefore do not benefit from available curative treatment.

Help New York State eliminate hepatitis C. Learn more about hepatitis C at NY Cures Hep C.

Learn more about the new point of care hepatitis C diagnostic testing technology on the hepatitis C point of care testing web page.

Track New York's progress toward hepatitis C elimination on the Hepatitis C Dashboard.

Check the AIDS Institute provider directory for hepatitis C testing and treatment resources.