Five local experts, including three members of the Brown faculty, will speak on campus Thursday evening, Jan. 15, 2015, about the state’s hepatitis C epidemic and the challenges of fighting it. The discussion, free and open to the public, will be broadcast live on Rhode Island Public Radio and livestreamed on the Web.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. [Brown University] — Hepatitis C is widespread in the United States and in Rhode Island, but many who are infected are unaware they have the liver disease. While newly available treatments are effective, they are also costly. That’s the context for a panel discussion Thursday, Jan. 15, 2015, in Friedman Auditorium at Metcalf Labs, Waterman and Thayer streets.

Rhode Island Public Radio reporter Kristin Gourlay, who recently completed an eight-part series on the epidemic, will moderate a panel of five experts including Amy Nunn, assistant professor of behavioral and social sciences in the School of Public Health; and Dr. Lynn Taylor, assistant professor of medicine, and Dr. Thomas Sepe, clinical associate professor of medicine, in the Alpert Medical School. The other panelists are Dr. Michael Poshkus of Thundermist Health Center and Thomas Stopka of Tufts University.

The event, free and open to the public, begins with a reception at 6 p.m. followed by introductions at 6:45 by Terrie Fox Wetle, dean of the Brown University School of Public Health, and Dr. Michael Fine, director of the Rhode Island Department of Health. The panel program and Rhode Island Public Radio broadcast begin at 7 p.m.

More information a registration form to attend can be found at the event website. The discussion will also be livestreamed.

The panel is co-sponsored by Rhode Island Public Radio, the Rhode Island Public Health Institute, and the Brown University School of Public Health.

Who
Kristin Gourlay, Rhode Island Public Radio reporter (moderator)
Amy Nunn, assistant professor, Brown School of Public Health
Dr. Lynn Taylor, assistant professor, Alpert Medical School
Dr. Thomas Sepe, clinical associate professor, Alpert Medical School
Dr. Michael Poshkus, Thundermist Health Center
Thomas Stopka, Tufts University

What
“Hepatitis C: Cure, Cost and Challenge”
A moderated discussion about the hepatitis C epidemic in Rhode Island and the challenge of fighting it

Where
Friedman Auditorium, Metcalf Labs
Waterman and Thayer streets
Campus of Brown University

When
6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 15, 2015
Registration required to attend