Shows
Science QueeriesBile meansCelebrating World Hepatitis Day, we have an un-bile-liver-ably great episode of Science Queeries in store for you. The 2025 theme was “Hepatitis: Let’s Break It Down” – and that’s what Jon Kok and Dr Cat are going to do.
According to the World Health Organization, around 354 million people worldwide live with hepatitis B or C, and most of them have no access to services for testing and treatment. Even in Australia.
Jon Kok is a Workforce Development and Research Officer at LiverWELL and a host of JOY’s Hide and Seek. They break down the different ki...
2025-08-0447 min
SBS Khmer - SBS ខ្មែរតើជំងឺថ្លើមអាចជាបញ្ហាក្នុងការទទួលបានទិដ្ឋាការពីប្រទេសអូស្រ្តាលីដែរឬទេ?អូស្រ្តាលីតម្រូវឲ្យបេក្ខជនធ្វើតេស្តសុខភាពនៅពេលដែលពួកគេដាក់ពាក្យស្នើរសុំទិដ្ឋាការប្រភេទខ្លះ។ ក្នុងនោះជំងឺថ្លើម ក៏ជាបញ្ហាមួយដែលមានការយកចិត្តទុកដាក់ពីនាយកដ្ឋានអន្តោប្រវេសន៍ ក្នុងការពិចារណាទិដ្ឋាការមួយចំនួនផងដែរ។ តើជំងឺថ្លើមជាបញ្ហាក្នុងការទទួលបានទិដ្ឋាពីប្រទេសអូស្រ្តាលីដែរឬទេ? សូមស្តាប់កិច្ចសម្ភាន៍ជាមួយកញ្ញា ហឿង មានទេពី មន្រ្តីសុខភាពសាធារណះរបស់អង្គការសុខភាពថ្លើមលីវឺវែល (Liverwell)។
2024-10-2411 min
LiverWELLLiver Cancer Research with Associate Professor Naiyang FuAssociate Professor Naiyang Fu from WEHI discusses his research into liver cancer with Paulette Trevena from LiverWELL.
2023-10-3014 min
LiverWELLDominique Robert-Hendren - Hello Sunday MorningDominique Robert-Hendren - Hello Sunday Morning by LiverWELL
2023-01-1714 min
LiverWELLShane O'Sullivan's Lived Experience StoryShane O'Sullivan's Lived Experience Story by LiverWELL
2023-01-1714 min
2023-01-1719 min
LiverWELLDr. Tram Tran gives us an inside look into new developments regarding the diagnosis of NASHDr. Tram Tran gives us an inside look into new developments regarding the diagnosis of NASH by LiverWELL
2022-05-0313 min
LiverWELLMelanie Farewell PodcastAfter nearly a decade at the helm of firstly Hepatitis Victoria and then LiverWELL, Melanie Eagle has announced that she will leave the organisation. Melanie has brought decades of experience in community, advocacy and management, and under Melanie’s leadership, LiverWELL has grown significantly.
2022-03-0322 min
LiverWELLYou're not alone with hep B: An interview with Thomas TuThomas Tu talks to us about his experiences as a researcher for hepatitis B, his lived experience, and his community: HepBCommunity.org
2021-11-1021 min
LiverWELLChloe Talks with us about non-alcoholic fatty liver diseaseWhen Chloe went to her GP to have a hepatitis B test she was diagnosed with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. While this came as a surprise to Chloe, statistically it’s not unusual. 1 in 4 people in Victoria have fatty liver disease, and this number is rising.
The burden of this disease in Australia, and most developed countries, manifests in increasing levels of advanced liver disease and primary liver cancer. So why don’t we know more about it?
2021-10-2715 min
LiverWELLMandy was diagnosed with hepatitis C during her first pregnancyMandy Ritchie, Bendigo local, was diagnosed with Hepatitis C during her first pregnancy. Now, she seeks to help those at risk of contracting the virus.
Podcast produced by Tyler Wright
2021-10-2009 min
LiverWELLJen Anderson: A Lived Experience StoryJen Anderson estimates she contracted hepatitis C in the late 1970s. She was later diagnosed in the early 1990s before seeking treatment in 2012, feeling optimistic about break-through antiviral medication.
In this 15-minute question-and-answer, Jen Anderson speaks to RMIT student journalist Indiana Hansen about her personal experience living with hepatitis C, as well as her professional experience as a nurse in the sector. Jen unpacks how things have changed within the hepatitis C space over the years, sharing her views on care and treatment alongside hepatitis C elimination targets. She reflects on being cured of the virus saying, “the weight off my...
2021-10-0515 min
LiverWELLViral the Film: An interview with Kamarra Bell-Wykes and Lauren ShereeIlbijerri Theatre Company are near to releasing Viral, a film about hepatitis C in Aboriginal communities.
Viral, written by Maryann Sam, follows the story of Ally and her family as they come to reckoning with hepatitis C and its treatment.
With an all Aboriginal cast and crew, Viral is a landmark film that amplifies the voices of First Nations People.
Dramaturg and consultative director Kamarra Bell-Wykes spoke with LiverWELL about her role in the film and how the workshopping and consultative process to create Viral has given platform to so many Aboriginal community members about hepatitis C.
Lauren Sheree, a...
2021-10-0525 min
LiverWELLAn Interview with Dr Adrian Farrugia on Hepatitis C impediments to treatmentWe talk to Adrian Farrugia from the Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society, La Trobe University.
Adrian’s research focuses on opioid overdose and take-home naloxone, experiences of hepatitis C treatment, and young people’s drug consumption and drug education.
And he is currently researching the uptake and experiences of hepatitis C treatment in Australia. This qualitative project collects the stories of people affected by hepatitis C to understand the meanings of treatment and identify impediments to uptake in an era focused on elimination.
2021-09-2120 min
LiverWELLSexual Health Week Interview with Sarah LorrimarSarah Lorrimar is a sexuality educator living in Collingwood but with a strong love and connection to Melbourne’s West. And her background is Chinese – Indonesian and Australian.
Sarah is passionate about social justice, particularly around gender equity and sexual health rights and has spent the past decade specialising in health promotion. Before this, she completed a Bachelor of Science (Health Promotion) and a Postgraduate Diploma of Sexology.
2021-09-1417 min
LiverWELLFamilies living with blood-borne viruses with Associate Professor Christy NewmanLiverTalk speak with Associate Professor Christy Newman (they/them) from the University of NSW Sydney, about her research into blood-borne viruses and serodiscordant families.
Christy is also Associate Dean (Engagement, Impact and Enterprise) at UNSW
2021-08-3120 min
LiverWELLDr Amy Pennay on drinking behaviour and why people are drinking lessLiverTalk speak with Doctor Amy Pennay from La Trobe University, about her research into alcohol and how people are choosing to drink less. Dr Amy Pennay is a Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for Alcohol Policy Research (CAPR), La Trobe University.
Dr Pennay has an Honours degree in Criminology and was awarded her PhD through the National Drug Research Institute, Curtin University of Technology, in 2013.
Her PhD was an examination of the social, cultural and economic contexts of alcohol and 'party drug' use in Melbourne, with a focus on risk environments and the implications for prevention.
2021-08-3111 min
LiverWELLAssociate Professor Paul Gow talks Fatty Liver on 3AWAssociate Professor Paul Gow talks Fatty Liver on 3AW's healthy living Program
2021-08-2309 min
LiverWELLImpact of alcohol on the brain for non-dependent drinkersHow much do we really know about the impact of non-dependent alcohol use upon the brain?
Listen to the discussion about why there needs to be more research into the impacts of non-dependant alcohol use upon the brain.
Special guests:
Fiona Martyn, Galway Neuroscience Centre PhD student, from the Clinical Neuroimaging Laboratory, National University of Ireland.
Dr Eimer McMahon, National University of Ireland who shares insights into the health of the mind and body.
For more tips on healthy habits http://www.hepvic.org.au/livingwell/drinkaware/
2021-03-2932 min
LiverWELLDrug Law Reform with Steve AllsopWe talk to Steve Allsop about the changing perceptions around drug law in Australia, what this could look like and what is important to take into consideration.
In our conversation we also discussed the vital importance of addressing stigma and discrimination and improving access to drug and alcohol treatment services alongside broader change.
2020-12-0221 min
LiverWELLViral Hepatitis Mapping Project National ReportJennifer MacLachlan, Senior Epidemiologist at The Doherty Institute shares the reports latest findings on the the prevalence of viral hepatitis, the need to increase diagnosis, treatment & care, and how targeted engagement based on the latest regional data can help drive an increase in testing.
https://ashm.org.au/resources/hcv-resources-list/viral-hepatitis-mapping-project-national-report-2018-2019/
Music: ‘Solar Power’ by Zucchini Clan. Used in agreement with the artists.
2020-09-0215 min
LiverWELLWorld Hepatitis Day 2020Reflecting on World Hepatitis Day 2020 and the fight that has continued to be made across the sector for elimination of viral hepatitis despite the COVID-19 restrictions.
Including a special song from Mark Farmer Memorial Award winner Andree, hear from a number of people about what they have been doing this year for WHD including staff from SHARPS NSP in Frankston and Alfred Health.
Special guests:
Bree – SHARPS NSP Peninsula Health
Cheryl – Alfred Health ‘
World Hepatitis Day song: Andree Dolby
‘Solar Power’ by Zucchini Clan. Used in agreement with the artists.
2020-08-1213 min
LiverWELLWhy ending hepatitis matters for your liver?Sharon Gibson & Keith Ritchie Gippsland FM (104.7) interview Melanie Eagle about World Hepatitis Day and why people could be at risk of liver damage.
2020-08-1015 min
LiverWELLSBS Vietnamese World Hepatitis Day 2020Nhân Ngày Viêm Gan 28 tháng 7 hãy tìm hiểu cách bảo vệ cơ phận quan trọng này của bạn
https://www.sbs.com.au/language/vietnamese/audio/nhan-nga-y-viem-gan-28-tha-ng-7-ha-y-ti-m-hie-u-ca-ch-ba-o-ve-co-pha-n-quan-tro-ng-na-y-cu-a-ba-n
2020-08-0415 min
LiverWELLWorld Hepatitis Day 2020 - Plenty FM Radio 88.6 with Matt ChristieMelanie Eagle speaks with Matt Christie Plenty FM Radio 88.6 on World Hepatitis Day encouraging people to get tested for hepatitis. #EndHEP
2020-08-0311 min
LiverWELLQuarantine and AlcoholGuest speaker: Suzanne Powell, Ballarat Community Health
Presenters:
Isabelle Purcell, Health Promotion Officer, Hepatitis Victoria/LiverWELL
Neylan Aykut, Health Promotion Officer, Hepatitis Victoria/LiverWELL
‘Solar Power’ by Zucchini Clan. Used in agreement with the artists.
Isabelle and Neylan speak with Suzanne from Ballarat Community Health about the impacts of Quarantine on Alcohol consumption on mental and phyical health, including your liver, harm minimisation and how to get help.
How have you're liver health been impacted during COVID-19, we'd love to hear from you: http://www.hepvic.org.au/news/2298/liver-health-care-during-lockdown-tell-us-how-covid-19-is-affecting-you
2020-07-1612 min
LiverWELLWebchat and TelehealthPresenter:
Isabelle Purcell, Health Promotion Officer, Hepatitis Victoria/LiverWELL
Interviewees:
[1:20 to 9:20] Martin Forrest, Health Promotion Programs Manager, Hepatitis Victoria/LiverWELL
[9:30 - 20:00] Sally Watkinson, Viral Hepatitis Nurse Practitioner candidate, Royal Melbourne Hospital
Isabelle speaks with Martin and Sally about key concerns for people with viral hepatitis and liver disease in relation to COVID-19 (mainly concerns around accessing healthcare and going to appointments etc as well as heightened risk due to living with a chronic illness)
New webchat function and the benefits [1:20 to 9:20]
Importance of still accessing healthcare esp around liver health [9:30 - 20:00]
How this can be done via telehealth and the...
2020-05-1420 min
LiverWELLDr Marno Ryan on how 5-10% weight loss can make all the differenceDr Marno Ryan is a Gastroenterologist and Hepatologist with a special interest in fatty liver disease which is fast becoming a serious health issue not only in Australia but throughout the world.
She says that despite 30% of the population in Australia having the disease, not everyone will go on to develop more serious liver issues such as non-alcoholic steato-hepatitis (NASH).
But for those who do develop NASH, losing between 5-10% of body weight can make a really positive difference she says.
Listen to find out the best diet and drinks for liver health.
2020-03-0612 min
LiverWELLMartin Forrest talks about the LiverWELL Reveal programWhat is the LiverWELL Reveal program? Hepatitis Victoria/LiverWELL Health Promotions Programs Manager Martin Forrest explains in a short podcast interview. www.hepvic.org.au/reveal
If you are living with a chronic liver disease, who do you turn to in the community for help and support? Up to 40% of Australians are living with fatty liver disease and many of these people will develop more serious conditions like non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), cirrhosis and even liver cancer.
Reveal is a new program run by LiverWELL/Hepatitis Victoria which enables community members and the Blood Borne Virus (BBV) workforce to provide input...
2020-02-2706 min
LiverWELLDr Alex Hodge talks fatty liver, NASH & tips for best liver healthDr Alex Hodge is a gastroenterologist and expert in chronic liver disease. He has a special interest in obesity and the many ways to combat it.
'I look at what fat can do inside the liver and what fat means for the patient outside the liver," he says.
"Inside it can eventually cause fibrosis and cirrhosis, outside its a risk factor for developing diabetes."
Dr Hodge also talks about the health benefits of drinking more than four cups of coffee a day, and the bad news about alcohol.
"All the studies of coffee have been positive studies... and show that...
2020-02-1013 min
LiverWELLMelanie Eagle on ABC Nightlife talks about hepatitis CHepatitis Victoria/LiverWELL CEO Melanie Eagle was interviewed on ABC's Nightlife national radio program on 8 January. She talks about the hepatitis C cure and why thousands of Australians are still not taking up the option.
2020-01-1915 min
LiverWELLExposing the hepatitis B virus: A University of Melbourne podcastThis podcast was first published on Pursuit. Read the original article.
https://pursuit.unimelb.edu.au/podcasts/exposing-the-hepatitis-b-virus
Researchers Professor Peter Revill and Dr Thomas Tu are on front line of global efforts to find a cure; helped by Dr Tu developing a new method to better detect the virus’ ‘master blueprint’.
2019-12-0324 min
LiverWELLAmanda Li Hromin, Ageing Senior of the Year 2019 and Hepatitis Victoria volunteerAmanda Li Hromin works as a community advocate supporting health promotion, community engagement, education programs and community awareness campaigns for the Victorian Chinese community in relation to viral hepatitis B and C prevention and related liver cancer prevention.
She was nominated by Hepatitis Victoria for the Council on the Ageing Senior Achiever Award 2019, for which she was the deserving recipient.
In this short podcast, Amanda talks about why she volunteers for Hepatitis Victoria and other organisations and what is the best way to communicate important health messages to the Chinese/Australian community.
2019-11-1310 min
LiverWELLAward winners at the Hepatitis Victoria AGM 2019This is the audio of the section in Hepatitis Victoria’s Annual General Meeting on 15th October, where the winners of the annual awards were announced.
Community Participation Coordinator, Steph Houghton read the nominations and Hepatitis Victoria president Frank Carlus announced the winners.
There were three nominations for the Organisation Collaboration Award, the Chinese Cancer and Chronic Illness Society of Victoria, IIbijerri Theatre Company and Forensicare, (the Victorian Institute of Forensic Mental Health).
Forensicare, received the award for its tireless work across the health sector making progress against the unacceptably high levels of hepatitis C inside.
There were three nominations fo...
2019-10-2521 min
LiverWELL"leaps and bounds..." Lewis Stieven-Taylor talks about his Hepatitis Victoria internshipLewis Stieven-Taylor is a La Trobe University student studying for a Bachelor of Health Science majoring in rehabilitation counselling. As part of his course, he is required to complete 80-120 hours of a work placement as an intern which he completed at Hepatitis Victoria focused on health promotion.
Lewis says his internship exceeded his expectations in many ways.
“For anyone with an interest in health promotion I would highly recommend they look into Hepatitis Victoria because it has been, at every step, fun engaging and extremely educational. I have come on leaps and bounds in my knowledge of health promotion an...
2019-10-2410 min
LiverWELLSidney Vo: "I am standing up not just for myself, but for the community..."Sidney Vo is appealing a Federal Government decision, based on her hepatitis B status, that means she and her 12-year-old son Billy have to leave Australia by the end of the month.
Her case has been widely publicised and by mid-September an online petition of support had received over 22,000 signatures.
Sidney’s experience has galvanised her to speak out. She signed up to become a Hepatitis Victoria HEPSpeaker and stepped out of training to record a short Hepatitis Victoria podcast.
Sidney speaks about her situation and in particular the unexpected stigma and discrimination she has experienced since going public.
“Its not...
2019-09-2308 min
LiverWELLIsabelle Purcell on 3CR radio talking liver health and recent migration rule changesHealth Promotion Project Officer, Isabelle Purcell was interviewed on 3CR Community Radio about the positive changes in migration rules for people living with viral hepatitis who want to apply for permanent residency in Australia.
She talks about what the changes mean and why they are an important change for anyone with a chronic condition.
2019-09-1005 min
LiverWELLMargaret Littlejohn: Incredible ancient secrets of the hepatitis B virusMargaret Littlejohn is a medical scientist at the Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory, where she does research and diagnostic work into the hepatitis B virus.
Together with Associate Professor Steven Tong of the University of Melbourne and other colleagues, she recently published a fascinating paper entitled 'What hepatitis B tells us about the migration of ancient humans'.
The viral genetics of Hepatitis B is helping to trace the history and movement of Australia’s first people back at least 51,000 years
“We found the precursor of the modern HBV C4 -the strain of hepatitis B that is mostly found in Indigenous Aust...
2019-09-0913 min
LiverWELLDoing with great love... intern Kai's experience at Hepatitis VictoriaKai Wen Cheong is a studying for his Master's in Social Work at the University of Melbourne and for the last three months he has been a Hepatitis Victoria intern.
In a short interview he speaks about his experience and what he has learnt.
"I feel blessed as I am literally enjoying every minute at Hepatitis Victoria... we are doing something really good for the community."
Kai's internship has provided him with many varied and surprising experiences, meeting people from all over Victoria and from all walks of life.
"One of my favourite quotes is from Mother Theresa, '...not...
2019-08-2307 min
LiverWELLWorld Hepatitis Day 2019: Melanie Eagle talks to Trevor Chappell on ABC Radio OvernightEvery year the 28th July is World Hepatitis Day, when we remind ourselves that this preventable disease kills more than a million people globally every year, yet it can be managed and cured with more awareness, support and funding.
Even in Victoria over 70,000 people are unaware they are living with viral hepatitis.
On 25 July Hepatitis Victoria CEO Melanie Eagle spoke on ABC Radio's Overnight program to Trevor Chappell about what is viral hepatitis, why it is ignored and whywe need more awareness.
2019-07-2510 min
LiverWELLHelen Tran on working with the Vietnamese community in VictoriaHelen Tran is a Hepatitis Victoria Project Officer working to raise awareness about hepatitis B in Victoria's Vietnamese community and encourage people to get blood tests, vaccinations and timely treatment.
"Liver cancer is very prevalent among Australian-Vietnamese and hepatitis is one of the main reasons," she says.
Helen has been speaking to groups such as the Vietnamese Arthritis Association, and she has been pleasantly surprised by the number of people who tell her after her session that they will get a blood test and vaccination.
"Presentations to community groups need to be made fun, no more than 20-30 minutes long...
2019-07-1909 min
LiverWELLProgress and roadblocks: What the National Mapping Report 2017 revealsThe Doherty Institute’s viral hepatitis National Mapping Report 2017 was published in April, providing an Australia-wide snapshot of prevalence, treatment and progress for hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and for liver cancer.
We talk to the author, Jennifer MacLachlan, Epidemiologist at the Doherty Institute who says the report reveals some surprises, but first explains the decision to combine what were previously separate reports on hepatitis B and C, and to add new data related to liver cancer.
2019-06-0712 min
LiverWELLMelanie Eagle interviewed 6PR Perth Radio World Liver DayMelanie Eagle was interviewed on World Liver Day on the launch of Eating Well: A LiverWELL™ Lifestyle Guide by Chris Isley on Perth radio station 6PR.
Melanie explains what's in the Guide and why it is an urgently needed resource.
2019-05-0704 min
LiverWELLMelanie Eagle interviewed on Radio 2GB about the launch of the Eating Well GuideOn 19 April, World Liver Day, Melanie Eagle was interviewed by presenter Chris Smith from radio 2GB in Sydney about the launch of Eating Well: A LiverWELL™ Guide.
Melanie explains the kind of recipes are in the book, as well as the hints and tips for good liver health. She talks about why it is so important to look after your liver especially as an estimated 6 million Australians have the beginnings of liver disease.
2019-04-2906 min
LiverWELLWill Scott on his five years as a HepVic volunteer and employeeWill Scott has worked as both a volunteer and staff member at Hepatitis Victoria.
In this short interview he reflects on what he has learnt and gained from working for a dynamic and fast-paced non-for-profit.
He also talks about his own personal experience of overcoming viral hepatitis, and gives advice for those thinking of volunteering or working for the organisation.
2019-04-0211 min
LiverWELLEating Well for better liver health with Priscilla Correa and Kessavee LutchmanenPriscilla is a nutritionist and Kessavee head chef at the Merri Cafe, an organic restaurant using fresh, local ingredients. Priscilla and Kessavee have collaborated creating simple and delicious recipes for Eating Well: A Guide for Better Liver Health.
This short podcast interview was made during the testing and sampling of several recipes at the Merri Cafe.
The Eating Well Guide is free and will be available soon in digital and hard copy format. www.liverwell.org.au/eatingwell
2019-03-2210 min
LiverWELLOvercoming 'self-stigma' with HEP Hero Ross WilliamsRoss Williams is a Hepatitis Victoria Board member, HEP Hero and a HEPSpeaker. On 7 March, he spoke passionately about his lived experience of hepatitis C during the Brimbank HEPReady forum.
In a short interview, Ross talks about what lived experience speakers can add to an event and why 'self-stigma' is so damaging and difficult to overcome.
In the final analysis, "..it's your life, and being anxious about how people will treat you is a secondary consideration," he says.
2019-03-1507 min
LiverWELLBrimbank Mayor Cr Lucinda Congreve talks community healthCr Lucinda Congreve is the Mayor of Brimbank, one of the most culturally diverse areas of Victoria. She opened the HEPReady Forum in Brimbank on Thursday 7 March.
In this short podcast, Cr Congreve talks about the multiple health challenges in Brimbank and what her Council is doing in response.
"We have a new health and wellbeing centre in St Albans with a whole range of wrap-around services for the community and it might be we consider treating hepatitis at the centre," she said.
2019-03-0802 min
LiverWELLAndree's storyAndree tells us, when her doctor had written ‘HEP C POSITIVE’ on a pathology slip, which she unknowingly carried in her bag for some time.
Upon realising, Andre stated she was shocked and explains about the negative repercussions this unwanted disclosure could’ve had on her, or anyone else in a similar situation.
She talks about the lack of education on these matters that is still evident in the healthcare system, and notes that complaining is an option in response.
2019-02-2203 min
LiverWELLJulie's stigma storyJules Cassidy has been an advocate for viral hepatitis, harm reduction, and mental health for decades.
She lived with hepatitis C from as early as the 1980’s, and was cured just a few years ago.
Jules reflects on how hepatitis C and the stigma that sometimes came with it added to the many complexities of her life.
2019-02-1502 min
LiverWELLSteven Taylor: AOD outreach, presenting, engaging and smashing stigma"You could stand in a bucket of infected blood and still not catch the infection...as long as you don't have any cuts on your feet."
That's one of the little anecdotes Steven Taylor uses to illustrate how viral hepatitis can only be passed from one person to another through infected blood.
Steven has worked at Hepatitis Victoria as a volunteer, performer and now Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) Workforce Training Officer. Steven presents the facts about viral hepatitis in a two-hour summary, to organisations in the AOD sector.
He talks about his new job, what the training involves and...
2019-02-0511 min
LiverWELLWorking in custodial settings: myth and revelationNeylan Aykut is a health promotion officer at Hepatitis Victoria whose job mainly involves working in Victoria's prisons combatting viral hepatitis.
Neylan talks about the challenges of working in custodial settings, and some of the surprising -and inspiring- things she has learnt.
"I really enjoy working in prisons," she says. "People inside respond very well to being spoken to with respect, they speak with candour and the sessions are great."
Neylan uses art as a teaching aid in some of her sessions, an approach she says brings multiple benefits.
2019-01-3116 min
LiverWELLStigma & healthcare: Should you disclose your hepatitis status?Judith Gorst works at the Prahran Market Clinic as a Practice Nurse and Counsellor. She is in daily contact with people who have been affected by HIV and hepatitis C.
In her Stigma Story, Judith unpacks the difficulties that stigma adds to an already complex situation for many of her patients who are living with a blood borne virus.
Judith talks about the stress and uncertainty her patients often experience when it comes to disclosing to family, friends, employers, and others in the community.
She highlights the importance of considering the positives and negatives that could come from disclosing your...
2019-01-2504 min
LiverWELLMelanie Eagle talks on JOYFM about a recent Hepatitis A outbreak in AustraliaMelanie Eagle spoke on JOYFM on 22 December about the recent Hepatitis A outbreak in Australia, and discusses what people can do to avoid getting hepatitis A.
A free vaccine is currently available in Victoria for men who have sex with men.
2019-01-1111 min
LiverWELLPriscilla's best liver health hints and tips for the festive seasonOur resident dietitian Priscilla-Hiromi Correa gives her best tips and advice for keeping your liver healthy this festive season.
2018-12-1709 min
LiverWELLRobbie-Lee Stephen on making a real-world impact as an intern"It's great to look back and feel like you have made a meaningful contribution to public health before having entered the workforce..." so says Robbie-Lee Stephen an intern at Hepatitis Victoria studying for a Master of Public Health at the University of Melbourne.
Her intern project, led by Community Engagement and Education Project Manager Aurora Tang, is a new community initiative, the Chinese Health Promotion Coalition launched on 23 September at Melbourne Town Hall.
Robbie talks about her role and its key priorities with the overall goal being the elimination of viral hepatitis B and related liver cancer within the Victorian...
2018-11-3011 min
LiverWELLSteven's StorySteven talks about his lived experience of acquiring hepatitis C through the healthcare system and successfully undergoing interferon treatment some years later. In the past, this was a time in his life that he preferred not to talk about and forget it happened.
Steven reflects on the stigmatisations he witnessed and felt in his professional and personal life, as well as his process of overcoming it.
His message to the community is to reserve judgement, have an open mind, demonstrate compassion, and to listen to each other’s stories.
2018-11-2303 min
LiverWELLStigma stories: Kamarra Bell-Wykes, theatre director, HEP HeroIn this month’s stigma story we hear from Kamarra Bell-Wykes, a Yagera and Butchella woman from South-East Queensland. She is the creative director at Ilbijerri Theatre Company.
Kamarra reflects on her time spent living with hepatitis C, including the difficulties of coming to terms with the virus at a young age and a bad experience accessing a health service.
Despite being involved in the production of successful plays about hepatitis C such as Chopped Liver, Kamarra still found it extremely difficult to talk about her condition and rarely disclosed to those around her.
It was only sometime after clearing th...
2018-11-0217 min
LiverWELLYouhorn Chea, Mayor of Dandenong & great HEP HeroHEP Hero Youhorn Chea believes if you have hepatitis B or hepatitis C it is absolutely vital to see a specialist and get the condition treated.
"The medicines are very good and efficacious, but you need to continue to use them, otherwise you could face big health problems, so my message is to get treatment as soon as possible," he says.
Youhorn talks about his life overcoming hepatitis C and how as a leader in the Cambodian community he can set an example of what needs to be done to regain liver health.
2018-11-0113 min
LiverWELLIIbijerri Theatre's Blayne Welsh at the HepVic AGM 2018Actor Blayne Welsh delighted the audience at HepVics Annual General Meeting with a dazzling performance of several characters from IIbijerri’s latest production ‘Viral’ the third instalment in a trilogy of shows about Indigenous people living with hepatitis C.
Viral is about hepatitis C, but also a whole lot more, including poverty and Indigenous dispossession and fake news in the age of Trump.
After performing, Blayne graciously answered questions about the way Viral was conceived and the reaction of audiences including those inside prison, ”…they are among the most respectful and wonderful audiences I have had the chance to perform to,” he sa
2018-10-1815 min
LiverWELLDr Paul Gow talks all things the liver and answers call-in questions on ABC NightlifeOur own dear Paul Gow, the Chair of Hepatitis Victoria's Liver Health Advisory Committee from Austin Health was interviewed on ABC Nightlife on October 15 talking all things liver health.
He answered an array of fascinating questions touching on nutrition, lifestyle and fatty liver disease, alcohol and the liver, and the need to be mindful of medicines and health supplements.
2018-10-1650 min
LiverWELLDiscrimination in the blood: Why can't people who have fully recovered from hep C donate?Emily Male and Amy Hatfield are Monash University students working as interns at Hepatitis Victoria. Emily also does volunteer work with Fitzroy Legal Service. They both have an interest in law reform.
Their research at Hepatitis Victoria explores stigma and barriers people face post-cure of hepatitis C. in particular The Australian Red Cross Blood Service Blood Donation Guidelines.
2018-09-2511 min
LiverWELLPeter Higg's stigma storyIn Peter's experience working with and being involved in the lives of people who have used drugs, he has always maintained a core value of “not judging people and treating them as anyone else”, says Peter Higgs, a social researcher, university lecturer, and former president of Hepatitis Victoria. Read on or listen to his story:
http://www.hepvic.org.au/page/1294/peters-stigma-story
2018-09-1701 min
LiverWELLEXPERT: 8 million Australians have symptoms of fatty liver diseaseDr Paul Gow is a Liver Specialist at the Austin Hospital and the Chair of Hepatitis Victoria's Liver Health Advisory Committee, a group looking at expanding the work the organisation does beyond viral hepatitis.
One in three Australians have fatty liver disease, he says, a looming health crisis for the country. Meanwhile, there are a long list of other liver-related diseases for which there is little knowledge or practical support for the general public.
"The changes we have seen in the last 20 years are miraculous... this means there is space for Hepatitis Victoria to broaden its remit and potentially offer...
2018-09-1109 min
LiverWELLKhaing's stigma storyWe hear about Aye Aye Khaing’s positive experiences when opening up to her family and friends about living with hepatitis B.
She mentions that educating herself and those close to her about the condition has alleviated worries around transmission and her wellbeing.
2018-08-3101 min
LiverWELLInternational HEP Hero extraordinaire the inspirational Karen Hoyt!Karen Hoyt is one of our latest HEP Heroes and she is unique in being our first international recipient!
Speaking from Oklahoma in the United States where she lives, Karen talks about her diagnosis with hepatitis C and how she experienced the full gamut of conditions leading to a liver transplant.
As a result of her condition, Karen became determined to help others, challenge stigma, and remain healthy.
Her top three tips for people living with viral hepatitis: Take control of your nutrition, start physical activity and practice mindfulness.
A teacher by profession, Karen uses her skills to blog, video...
2018-08-2418 min
LiverWELLOn World Hepatitis Day, Melanie Eagle talks about the JOY of appsOn 28 July, World Hepatitis Day we launched LiverWELL an Australian app to fight liver disease and hepatitis.
Our CEO Melanie Eagle spoke to JOYFM about the significance of the day and why LiverWELL could be a game changer for people living with viral hepatitis and liver disease.
2018-07-3010 min
LiverWELLLiverWELL: New Australian app supports better liver healthWhy do people with liver disease and hepatitis need an app like LiverWELL and what can it do for you?
Hepatitis Victoria CEO Melanie Eagle explains how LiverWELL can help those living with the most common forms of viral hepatitis. She also talks about the risks from viral hepatitis and why treatment and management of the condition is so important.
LiverWELL is free and available for download for both android and iphone.
2018-07-2601 min
LiverWELLThe other side of stigma: A health professional's viewIn this month’s stigma story we hear from Jarrod McMaugh, a health professional who works as a pharmacist in the north of Melbourne. Jarrod is also a board member at Hepatitis Victoria.
In his day to day Jarrod is treating patients with opioid replacement therapy like methadone or suboxone. Among other disparities, hepatitis C and liver health are common concerns for this population.
“There’s no reason to treat any person different. Stigma has a huge impact on people’s health outcomes”, he says.
2018-07-0601 min
LiverWELLHEP Hero Steven Taylor: My experience as a volunteerSteven Taylor says volunteering for Hepatitis Victoria," gives you a chance to put your money where your mouth is, to give you some responsibility, to make you feel a bit better about the world you inhabit."
As for being a HEP Hero, he says,"...when you share your story it helps you reflect on what you have been through."
2018-07-0311 min
LiverWELLGeorgia to Toronto: Melanie Eagle on the global response to viral hepatitisMelanie Eagle, CEO of Hepatitis Victoria has recently returned from the Global Hepatitis Summit in Toronto, Canada. A few weeks before, while on a personal trip, she spent time meeting groups dealing with viral hepatitis in Georgia, a Central Asian republic.
Her trips give her a unique perspective on how the global battle against viral hepatitis is faring. In this short podcast, she reflects on what she learnt at the Toronto summit, and the circumstances that make Georgia's battle so unique.
Despite the progress that is being made in some countries,"...if the pressure is taken off, it is clear...
2018-06-2812 min
LiverWELLWhat's YOUR hardest working organ? It's your liver of course!A healthy life means looking after your heart, taking care of your gut and loving your lungs. But your liver needs your love too!
Hepatitis Victoria’s Love Your Liver-Regional health awareness campaign is being rolled out in Shepparton and progressively in Dandenong, Frankston, and Moe over the coming months. It will then be released in Brimbank, Maribyrnong and Mildura next year.
The new slogan “Your liver needs your love, too” encourages people to think not only of their heart, lungs and intestines, but also of their hardest-working organ –and one of the only ones able to regenerate itself- the mighty l
2018-06-2100 min
LiverWELLThi lives with hepatitis B: A story of positivity, support and curiosityThi reflects on her experiences disclosing and discussing her condition to the various people in her life – including friends, family, and co-workers.
The reaction from her peers has been of positivity, support, and curiosity. She highlights the fact that there is no need for people living with viral hepatitis to disclose if they don’t want to. However, simply talking about it with people you are comfortable around and trust can be very beneficial.
“In the end your feelings towards yourself are more important than other people’s feelings. I am a human being, I am not hepatitis B,” she says.
2018-06-0702 min
LiverWELLRaising awareness of hepatitis in Australia's Sudanese community with Noon Juba & Akuot TebirNoon Juba and Akuot Tebir are graduate volunteers doing research into the awareness of viral hepatitis in Sudan and in Australia's Sudanese community.
Their fascinating study probes the attitudes and perceptions and if those approaches have carried over into the growing Sudanese community in Australia.
Both Noon and Akout believe breaking the barrier to diagnosis and treatment lies in raising awareness.
"Many people don't know it’s a public health issue, so we need to teach why it happens, how it happens and what you can do about it," says Akout.
"Many won't seek help until it affects their functioning in...
2018-05-1105 min
LiverWELLWhat's the role of a Primary Health Network in the battle against hepatitis?Chris Carter is the CEO of North West Melbourne Primary Health Network (NWMPHN) and a Hep Hero.
“Primary Health Networks can show leadership around advocacy, ensuring the message around blood-borne diseases, STIs and hepatitis gets forward in the public domain at the federal, state and community level,” he explains.
“The challenge is trying to get viral hepatitis front and centre and PHNs have a couple of roles; analysis of what is happening in the catchment and filling the gaps… we’re both a planner and a funder,” he says but it is a complicated problem to tackle.
“Stigma is a huge problem i...
2018-05-0311 min
LiverWELLWhy every child and every parent should read Little Hep B HeroManuela Urdiste is one of the key people behind the creation of Little Hep B Hero- a family resource about hepatitis. She is part of the Hepatitis Victoria's Community Advisory group which guided the project through conception to completion.
"As a mum of two kids, and also living with chronic hepatitis B it was a good chance for me to express my thoughts, my feelings and my ideas to this advisory group, it was a chance for me to be part of this team... Trying to explain to my kids aged 5 and 8 was quite difficult, telling them what the liver...
2018-04-2607 min
LiverWELLJennifer MacLachlan: How good data saves livesJennifer MacLachlan is an epidemiologist at the Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity where she collects and analyses data concerning viral hepatitis in Australia.
Her team has done ground-breaking work in the National Mapping Projects for hepatitis B and C, attracting widespread attention and giving health advocates important evidence to help fight viral hepatitis.
In this short podcast, Jennifer discusses what ‘bigger picture’ data reveals about on-the-ground changes, and what Australia urgently needs to do to have a realistic chance of achieving the 2030 elimination targets.
"We are making gradual progress, but it is not as rapid as it needs to be,"...
2018-04-1214 min
LiverWELLNutrition and liver health with dietitian Priscilla Hiromi CorreaPriscilla Hiromi Correa is a Brazilian dietitian with a special interest in the liver and people living with liver disease. Mark Pearce, Hepatitis Victoria's Communications Manager, spoke with her on a recent visit to our offices.
She recommends against 'fad' diets and is in favour of eating based on Australia's dietary recommendations, for optimum liver and general overall health.
"Nutrition is so important that through a better diet a patient might even be removed from the transplant waiting list," she says.
All Priscilla's recommendations come with a caveat for listeners; consult with your health practitioner about your personal circumstances before...
2018-03-2912 min
LiverWELLMelanie Eagle on why #StigmaStops with usThe social stigma around viral hepatitis is deadly, contributing to up to 6 deaths a week in Victoria alone, a greater burden than the state road toll.
On 17 March Hepatitis Victoria CEO Melanie Eagle was invited into the JoyFM studio to talk about the launch of #StigmaStops, a year-long campaign to raise awareness and help tackle stigma launched on Zero Discrimination Day earlier this month.
2018-03-2610 min
LiverWELLMeg Perrier on raising awareness about hep B among CALD communities in Melbourne's northMeg Perrier, Hepatitis B Outreach Project Officer is running a joint project with Cohealth and the Wingate Avenue Community Centre in Ascot Vale, to raise awareness about hepatitis B and get people at risk treated.
"...For those born overseas, more often than not they were born in countries with high endemic countries of hepatitis B," she says.
The project at Wingate Avenue has introduced an education program about the disease that has led to the testing of 80 community members, more than Meg and her team had anticipated, and a very welcome outcome.
"One of the biggest challenges was going through...
2018-03-0807 min
LiverWELL#StigmaStops Stories with HEP Hero Allan Dumbleton#StigmaStops Stories is a monthly series from Hepatitis Victoria were we talk with people living with hepatitis about their experiences facing stigma.
Allan Dumbleton is a HEP Hero who was recently cured of hep C. This is his story.
2018-02-2506 min
LiverWELLThree times lucky: Allan Dumbleton on getting cured of hep C and facing stigmaHEP Hero Allan Dumbleton talks about his experience getting cured of hepatitis C.
It took three treatments, two with the Direct Acting Anti Virals, but finally Allan was cured.
"When they told me my viral load was negative- that day will remain with me forever, a great weight was lifted," he says.
Allan also talks about the stigma he experienced and says what he wished he should have done to combat it.
A must listen for anyone who cares about helping people with viral hepatitis, or tackling prejudice and stigma.
2018-02-1211 min
LiverWELLHep Hero Margaret Hellard on the stigma people face living with hepatitisHep Hero Margaret Hellard on the stigma people face living with hepatitis by LiverWELL
2018-02-0114 min
LiverWELLSione Crawford on 'Art Inside' & educating prisoners about viral hepatitisArt Inside 2017: Educating prisoners about viral hepatitis through self-expression
“People in prison are at least 20 times more likely to have hepatitis than the rest of the population and we think at least a quarter of the prison population has hepatitis C, but not everyone gets tested and the number with the virus is likely to be higher”.
Health Promotion Officer Sione Crawford is managing the second year of Art Inside, a project run by Hepatitis Victoria in partnership with Justice Health, the part of Corrections Victoria responsible for health and well-being of prisoners. The goal is to create a resource illustrated...
2018-01-1214 min
LiverWELLDr Bruce Bolam on the pernicious impact of stigma and discrimination on healthDr Bruce Bolam is the Victorian Government's Chief Preventative Health Officer. He spoke at Hepatitis Victoria's Forum on Stigma and Discrimination held at the Melbourne Town Hall on 7 December 2017.
In this short interview, he talks about the negative barriers stigma creates around hepatitis, the health impacts as a result, and why it is important to confront stigma and discrimination in all its forms.
2017-12-0809 min
LiverWELLHepVic's 'Love Your Liver' Campaign on 3CW1341 健康你我他The 'Love Your Liver' campaign is promoted and supported by Chinese media stakeholders @3CW1341 @SBSCantonese. This interview with HepVic's Aurora Tang, was broadcast in Mandarin on 5 December 2017.
An interview broadcast on SBS in Cantonese on 7 December is available here:
https://www.sbs.com.au/yourlanguage/cantonese/zh-hant/audiotrack/hepvic-love-your-liver-campaign?language=zh-hant
2017-12-0745 min
LiverWELLArtist Fred Negro talks about his 'lovely liver' cartoons and latest showFred Negro has been drawing 'lovely livers' for the past 10 years.
His whimsical liver cartoons are a popular feature in the Good Liver magazine and have attracted quite a following.
As a child Fred says he made his own stick figure comics.
"I used to like Little Dot comics... Little Dot was a collector of dots. She had boxes full of dots and all her clothes were covered with dots, and she had dots on the wall she could climb through," he says.
Fred also talks about his fascination with Piranha's, the genesis for his show and his book launch...
2017-12-0504 min
LiverWELLNot on track: Hep Summit in Brazil reveals elimination goal by 2030 a mirageHepatitis Victoria CEO Melanie Eagle attended the World Hepatitis Summit 2017 in Brazil recently and came back with some unsettling news. Despite clear progress in countries like Egypt, China and Brazil, the world is clearly not on track to reach the goal of eliminating viral hepatitis by 2030.
An estimated 1.4 million people died of hepatitis related diseases in 2016, a mournful total that is more than the number of deaths for HIV or tuberculosis.
'Unfortunately, we are not on track to eliminate viral hepatitis by 2030,' Melanie says.
'There are still massive challenges often reflected by health system dysfunction and lack of resources...
2017-12-0110 min
LiverWELLMelanie Eagle CEO speaks with Red Symonds about the Love Your Liver campaign#Red speaks with Melanie Eagle, CEO is urging Victorians to "Love your liver" a heartfelt campaign in Melbourne’s north-west urging testing and treatment
2017-11-2706 min
LiverWELLFighting hepatitis and liver disease: Pharmacists in the front lineHEPReady Business Development Manager, Reece Lamshed talks about why pharmacists are such an important ally in the fight against hepatitis.
"For many people in the community pharmacists have always been a first point of call for health, now we are training them to help us in the struggle against hep B and hep C," he says.
The HEPReady course gives pharmacists the comprehensive information they need to provide information on testing and treatment of hepatitis in a discrimination free workplace.
Find out more at www.hepvic.org.au
2017-10-2708 min
LiverWELLHepHero Tilman Ruff talks about how we can conquer hepatitis and end the threat of nuclear warTilman Ruff is one of Hepatitis Victoria's latest HepHeros. He has spent the past 20 years fighting to get hep B vaccinations to vulnerable populations in the Asia Pacific.
"For about 20 years I assisted national immunisation programs in Pacific island countries with hepatitis B control and more broadly, working with WHO and UNICEF," Tilman says.
"Now I serve on an expert committee on hepatitis B control for the Western Pacific Region of WHO, helping countries check how their immunisation and hepatitis B control programs are going and working with them to figure out how to make them work better."
Tilman was...
2017-10-2636 min
LiverWELLHepatitis Victoria President Frank Carlus and CEO Melanie Eagle at the 25th Anniversary eventFrank and Melanie both gave moving talks about what they see as the progress and challenges for the hepatitis community in the coming months and years.
2017-10-2405 min
LiverWELLHepVic the early days: Steve Taylor live with Rhonda McCaw and Julie ShielsAt Hepatitis Victoria's 25th Anniversary event, Master of Ceremonies and HepHero Steve Taylor talked to Rhonda McCaw and Julie Shiels about the early days and how the organisation was founded.
Its a fascinating discussion, that reveals not only how far we have come, but also how far we have to go.
2017-10-2417 min
LiverWELLSione Crawford reflects on his trip to INHSU2017 in New YorkSione Crawford is a Health Promotion Project Officer at Hepatitis Victoria. He recently attended the 6th International Symposium on Hepatitis Care in Substance Users, held in New York.
He talks about the insights he gained from the symposium, including the vastly disparate ways treatment is provided in different parts of the world, and the United States, and how stigma and ignorance is preventing treatment and killing thousands of people every year.
2017-10-0603 min