Sharon Hutchinson

Sharon Hutchinson (BSc (Hons), MSc, PhD, CStat, HonMFPH) joined Glasgow Caledonian University in 2013 as a Professor of Epidemiology and Population Health. She leads a broad translational research programme on the epidemiology of blood borne viruses (BBVs), authoring over 150 papers, and has worked jointly with Health Protection Scotland (HPS; the national centre which monitors these viruses and other communicable diseases) for over 15 years. Her research has included a range of studies (involving population-based surveys, surveillance initiatives, novel record linkage exercises, and statistical/economic models) designed to inform on the prevention of BBV infection and its consequences. In particular, her research included the development of models to estimate the impact of antiviral therapy on the future burden of hepatitis C related liver disease in Scotland, which provided the key evidence to guide a public health response to this epidemic and culminated in Scottish Government investing significantly (approximately £100 million during 2008–2015) in improving prevention, testing, and treatment services as part of their Action Plan on Hepatitis C. Sharon was actively involved in all phases of this Action Plan – including the development, coordination and evaluation – and Chaired the National Network on Information Generating Initiatives. The Action Plan is regarded globally as a model of best practice and there is now strong evidence that a real breakthrough has been made in the prevention and treatment of hepatitis C infection in Scotland.

Internationally, Sharon has reviewed the evidence for and advised on the development of European guidance on the prevention of infectious diseases among people who inject drugs, and World Health Organization (WHO) guidance for the screening, care and treatment of chronic hepatitis C infection. Recently, Sharon was on the organising committee for the first World Hepatitis Summit held in Glasgow in September 2015; this is a joint WHO and World Hepatitis Alliance event, which aims to upscale the world’s response to hepatitis and to address the need for a global forum to examine public health approaches to the disease.

In 2009, in recognition of the major contribution to the science and practice of public health, Sharon was awarded with Honorary Membership to the Faculty of Public Health of the Royal Colleges of Physicians in the UK. In 2013, she became a member of the Royal Society of Edinburgh’s Young Academy of Scotland.