2026 Webinar – Viral Hepatitis and Sexual Health in LGBTQ+ Communities and Beyond ondemand-Viral Hepatitis

Video Transcription

Video Summary

The webinar opened with Pride greetings and an introduction to an ASLD 2026 session on viral hepatitis and sexual health in LGBTQ+ communities. Moderators reviewed logistics for questions and CME credit before three talks began.<br /><br />Jess Wasacki presented on stigma, sexual health care, and hepatitis A. She explained how real, perceived, and anticipated stigma discourages LGBTQ+ patients from seeking care and contributes to poorer outcomes. She emphasized that inclusive practices—using correct names and pronouns, collecting sexual orientation and gender identity data, asking about partners and sexual practices without judgment, and creating visibly welcoming spaces—can improve care. She also highlighted low hepatitis A vaccination rates in LGBTQ+ communities and the importance of routine, nonjudgmental sexual histories to identify risk and increase vaccination.<br /><br />Howard Lee discussed hepatitis B and HIV PrEP. He reviewed data showing higher hepatitis B prevalence in sexual minority and transgender populations. He focused on the shift from daily oral PrEP, which also protects against hepatitis B, to newer injectable PrEP options that do not. He stressed the need to screen hepatitis B serologies before changing PrEP, recognize the risks of stopping tenofovir in people with chronic hepatitis B, and continue vaccination and monitoring when appropriate.<br /><br />Caitlin Malik-Petshulat described hepatitis C disparities in MSM and transgender communities and showed how low-barrier, community-based care improves outcomes. She emphasized point-of-care RNA testing, trauma-informed blood draw alternatives, case management, outreach, telehealth, and co-located services in SSPs, OBOT programs, and community settings.<br /><br />The session concluded with a discussion about vaccine access, outreach, and leveraging trusted patient relationships to expand prevention and treatment.

Keywords

LGBTQ+ health

viral hepatitis

sexual health

stigma

hepatitis A vaccination

hepatitis B

HIV PrEP

hepatitis C

transgender communities

low-barrier care