by Rick Haverkate, IHS National HIV/AIDS & HepC Program Coordinator
Millions of Americans have chronic viral hepatitis, and most of them don’t
know it. National Hepatitis Testing Day on May 19th is an opportunity to
remind health care providers and the public about who should be tested for
viral hepatitis.
The Indian Health Service is releasing a new
Special General Memorandum - Hepatitis C: Universal Screening and Treatment
that will expand screening for the hepatitis C virus, or HCV, to all IHS
patients over the age of 18 years at least once in their lifetime, with
additional risk-based screening as indicated. This will not only improve
health outcomes for American Indians and Alaska Natives, but can also
result in long-term cost savings for the agency .
HCV-related mortality among American Indians and Alaska Natives is more
than double the national rate. Early diagnosis and treatment of HCV is
important to prevent the development of serious complications. Highly
effective treatments for HCV are available and can be successfully
implemented at the primary care level with appropriate planning and
support.
This new guidance will coordinate efforts in the IHS to implement and
exceed the
recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
for universal screening for HCV. The CDC recommends HCV screening for all
adults born from 1945 through 1965.
Because the rates of HCV in Indian Country are disproportionately higher
for those born after 1965 compared to the general population, IHS is
implementing universal screening to identify those American Indian and
Alaska Native individuals living with HCV who were born after 1965, and get
them into treatment before major liver damage occurs.
All IHS direct care facilities will establish and implement universal HCV
screening and treatment protocols in a strategic manner as part of a
nationwide effort to prevent and control HCV transmission and HCV-related
chronic disease.
The
Eliminating Hepatitis C and HIV/AIDS in Indian Country Initiative
will provide treatment and case management services to prevent HCV
transmission and enhance HIV testing and linkages to care in support of the
administration’s
Ending the HIV Epidemic: A Plan for America . The
president’s fiscal year 2020 budget proposal
includes $25 million in new investments to expand partnerships between IHS
and Native communities to address HCV and HIV.
IHS will continue to work in partnership with tribes and urban Indian
organizations across the nation to raise the physical, mental, social, and
spiritual health of American Indians and Alaska Natives to the highest
level.
Related content:
Center of Excellence at Phoenix Indian Medical Center – Achieving Excellence in HIV and HCV Care
The Costs and Benefits of Expanding Hepatitis C Screening in the Indian Health Service
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