A major statewide health promotion and awareness campaign kicked off at Dixon Park Surf Club in Newcastle today to encourage NSW to get tested for, and get cured of hepatitis C.
The HEP CURED mobile mural takes the successful state-wide hepatitis C treatment awareness raising campaign on the road, literally, across NSW to promote the game-changing treatments that cures hepatitis C in up to 98% of cases.
Mr Steven Drew, Hepatitis NSW CEO, said, “The HEP CURED campaign, which launched in July 2021, is designed to prompt interest in hepatitis C testing, treatment, and cure.”
Once considered a chronic condition with life threatening health impacts, hepatitis C is now easily cured with new effective and affordable treatments. Despite this, tens of thousands of people in NSW are living with the virus and remain unaware of these game-changing treatment options and pathways.
“The HEP CURED Mobile Mural aims to get the message out there for everyone to see and encourage them to live their best life,” said Mr Drew.
The campaign does this by using simple messaging and strong imagery to promote the availability and effectiveness of cures for hepatitis C. The core message of the campaign instils a sense of connection with loved ones, or significant others.
“Boldly stating the HEP CURED message, a colourful, eye-catching mural, has been added to the other side of a truck mounted campaign billboard,” said Mr Drew. “Together they will be touring numerous rural towns as well as Sydney suburbs throughout March.”
“The Mobile Mural will travel, and park, around carefully chosen sites to provide repeat exposure and to reinforce the messages, and encourage action on hepatitis C testing and treatment.”
Starting in Newcastle this weekend, the HEP CURED Mobile Mural will head north to Coffs Harbour, then to Tamworth, Orange, Bathurst, and Katoomba. From the Blue Mountains the Mobile Mural will head back to Sydney for the second leg of its journey, before heading down south to Wollongong, Eden, Albury – and more – for its third and final leg.
“The HEP CURED Mobile Mural not only seeks to spread the good news message that hepatitis C can be cured, but also provides information on how to get support and access treatment. It is also an opportunity to explain that many beliefs people may hold about previous testing and treatment arrangements no longer apply.
“New hep C treatments give people the chance to be free of the virus, and to also be healthier, to be part of the future of their children and grandchildren,” said Mr Drew.
“Thanks to the ground-breaking direct acting anti-viral (DAA) medications, elimination of hepatitis C has become an achievable goal, in line with Australian and NSW Government commitments. We are within reach of achieving elimination of hep C by 2030. This will be an incredible achievement. It would mean a disease would have been discovered and eliminated in a single generation.”
Mr Drew continued, “However, elimination will require the ongoing combined efforts of government, the health sector, and community to be fully realised.”
So far, over 30,000 people in New South Wales have started treatment for hepatitis C since 2016. People who may be at risk of hepatitis C should speak to their local GP for testing or access at-home testing via DBStest.health.nsw.gov.au.
The HEP CURED Mobile Mural will be tracked by, and can be followed on, our social media (
