Regional Communities Missing Out On Vital Hepatitis Care

Regional communities face unique challenges when it comes to Hepatitis, other blood borne viruses (BBV), and sexual health, including access to services, workforce capacity, stigma, and visibility. In light of this, LiverWell and Thorne Harbour Country are running a forum focused on strengthening healthcare workforce practices in Bendigo and surrounding communities. This forum aims to take a practical approach, recognising that factors like regionality, sexuality, gender, culture and migration status all shape health outcomes. On Well Well Well, we speak often about stigmatising experiences for LGBTIQA+ communities and people living with HIV in healthcare settings. In much the same vein, healthcare workers admit to treating patients negatively that have engaged in sex work, are living with Hepatitis, or have injected drugs, according to LiverWell. We’re joined this episode by Jon Kok from LiverWell to break down the reality of stigma for these cohorts, how intersectional identities can present additional challenges, how LiverWell’s ‘StreetShot’ art project with Minus18 can help to visualise these issues, and why regional voices are essential to the solution. Check out our other JOY Podcasts for more on LGBTIQ+ health and wellbeing at joy.org.au/wellwellwell. If there’s something you’d like us to explore on the show, send through ideas or questions at [email protected] Find out more about LGBTIQ+ services and events in Victoria and South Australia at thorneharbour.org and samesh.org.au