Hepatitis care in substance users, together

• 23 August 2019Key Data to Be Presented was released.
• 6 September 2019Payment for registrations was required by this date to guarantee attendance.
• 11 – 13 September 2019The 8th International Conference on Hepatitis Care in Substance Users took place at Le Westin, Montréal, Canada.

Join the conversation using the hashtag #INHSU19.

The International Network on Hepatitis in Substance Users organises an annual conference that brings together clinicians, researchers, harm reduction workers and community advocates focused on hepatitis care for people who use drugs. The 2019 gathering, the eighth in the series, took place at Le Westin in Montréal, Canada over three days in September, and its programme was shaped by a large volume of abstract submissions.

Delegates could expect a dense scientific programme of oral presentations and poster sessions addressing hepatitis C prevention, testing, treatment and linkage to care in populations that are often underserved by mainstream health systems. The emphasis throughout was on practical, evidence-informed approaches that acknowledge the realities of substance use, alongside efforts to reduce stigma and discrimination in clinical settings.

Because the audience spans disciplines and countries, the meeting offered multiple ways to participate. Presentations were delivered in themed sessions, posters were displayed for the duration of the conference, and recordings of talks and slide decks were published online so that people unable to travel could still follow the science and revisit specific sessions at their own pace.

Poster presentations formed a substantial part of the programme, giving early-stage researchers and local projects a platform to share findings on hepatitis care in substance use settings. Presenters were listed with their materials available for review, and permission notes appeared alongside submitted content. A dedicated digital tool kit and manual extended the reach of the meeting for practitioners working beyond the conference venue.

Recognising that cost can be a barrier to attendance, the conference also ran a scholarship scheme with published criteria, rates and conditions. Applications were reviewed by a selection process, and supported delegates benefited from travel, accommodation and registration support, with late and standard application deadlines published in advance to keep the process transparent and equitable.

The event included industry-sponsored and invited symposia, affiliated organisational sessions and a busy exhibition area where tools, services and project showcases could be explored. Speakers were given travel assistance where available, and general information on visas, local attractions and sponsorship opportunities helped international delegates plan their stay in Montréal with confidence.

Beyond the formal programme, satellite meetings and associated events provided additional spaces for discussion, with social sessions and informal conversation encouraged alongside the scientific agenda. Photographs, wrap-up summaries and social media activity offered a record of the meeting for those who were present and for those who followed from a distance, reinforcing the network's ongoing momentum.

The conference is organised by an international network with a standing committee structure and an open membership model, inviting professionals from clinical, research and community backgrounds to take part. Through annual gatherings, published programmes and freely accessible recordings, the network works to shorten the distance between emerging evidence and frontline practice in hepatitis care for substance users.

For anyone preparing to engage with the work, the site's programme pages, abstract listings and scholarship information serve as the main entry points, while attendance details and venue guidance support practical planning. The overall aim remains consistent: improving outcomes for people who use drugs by sharing knowledge, widening participation and ensuring that hepatitis prevention and treatment are genuinely accessible to the communities most affected.