The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services received funding from the Center for Disease Analysis Foundation (CDAF) to conduct a ReLink Project. Iowa’s project sought to reengage individuals living with untreated hepatitis C utilizing a disease intervention specialist (DIS) framework by adapting strategies from HIV/STI DIS models.

Focused on two of Iowa’s largest volume health systems, the project utilized case reports from the Iowa Disease Surveillance System (IDSS) to generate a registry of individuals who had been diagnosed but were untreated. The Reengagement Specialist conducted a pre-contact investigation that included death matches, incarceration reviews, and residency reviews to limit the registry to contact eligible cases. Finally, eligible cases were located utilizing available systems (CLEAR™, DOT Drivers’ License Database, etc.), contacted, and offered relinkage services to in person or telehealth treatment programs.

This session will review the project design and provide an overview of preliminary project outcomes, specifically focusing on the unique role State Health Agencies are equipped to fulfill when seeking to generate registries, verify eligibility, and engage individuals. Finally, the session will discuss how these activities have informed the development of a syndemic framework aimed at ending HCV with strategies focused on disrupting transmission in real time while also addressing HIV and STIs.