Insured women were 15 times more likely to initiate hepatitis treatment
“Women who reported having health insurance were significantly more likely to initiate hepatitis C treatment vs. women without health insurance, according to a study published in Clinical Infectious Diseases.”
Both medical and social factors linked with accelerated brain ageing in people living with HIV
“Heart disease risk factors, hepatitis C and detectable HIV emerged as key factors associated with older-appearing brain structures in people with HIV. Social factors, such as unemployment and living in a poorer neighbourhood also appear to play a central role. The study examined structural brain changes that are visible on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans.”
PAHO and AIDS Healthcare Foundation to collaborate on elimination of HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and other infectious diseases in Latin America and the Caribbean
“Washington, DC, May 2, 2023 (PAHO)- The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) have agreed to work together to contribute to efforts to eliminate HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis (TB), viral hepatitis, mpox and other sexually transmitted infections such as syphilis in Latin America and the Caribbean.”
Hepatitis Awareness Month: Recognizing the Syndemic of Viral Hepatitis, HIV, STIs, and Substance Use Disorder
“May is Hepatitis Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness that viral hepatitis continues to be a major public health threat in the United States. While we bring attention to viral hepatitis this month, we also recognize that the epidemic of viral hepatitis does not occur in a vacuum, but interacts with other diseases like HIV, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and substance use disorders, also known as a syndemic.”
Liver Cirrhosis Linked to Lower COVID Vaccine Response
“While people with chronic liver disease generally responded to COVID-19 vaccines, being older and having liver cirrhosis were linked to weaker responses, according to study results published in JHEP Reports. The good news is that people with viral hepatitis and those on antiviral treatment had better vaccine responses.”
More Socially Vulnerable Areas in the US Associated With Higher Liver-Related Mortality
“Areas with a longer distance to liver transplantation centers in the US feature higher liver-related mortality rates, according to new research. A team, led by Jason Yang, Department of Surgery, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and James Comprehensive Cancer Center, identified the impact of travel distance to liver transplantation programs and social vulnerability on county differences in liver-related mortality.”
Half a million dollars to provide needles and naloxone to Denver drug users
“(Denver, Colo.) The Denver City Council will consider awarding half a million dollars in contracts Monday to provide drug users with needles and naloxone through the end of this year. The expenditures are intended to help keep addicts alive. In 2022, someone died of a fentanyl overdose every 38 hours, according to statistics from the Denver Medical Examiner’s Office.”
Help eliminate viral hepatitis in Philadelphia
“A college-level medical terminology course would teach you that the prefix “hepat-” means liver and the suffix “-itis” means inflammation. So, hepatitis means your liver is inflamed. While folks usually assume liver inflammation is caused by heavy alcohol use, toxins, and side effects from certain medications, it is important to know it is also caused by viral infections.”
A HOME-BASED TEST FOR HEPATITIS C AND COVID-19 ‘AS RELIABLE AS A LAB-BASED TEST’ REVEALED BY SCIENTISTS
“In a major breakthrough, researchers at the University of Florida have leveraged the power of artificial intelligence (AI) to develop a simplified test that can diagnose both hepatitis C and SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19. The test can be conducted in a single small test tube, taking just a few minutes to yield results.”
Prize for a cure: 4 years later, legislative push to end diseases loses steam
“A former Ohio lawmaker said the death of his parents from cancer sparked the idea for a commission that would award vast sums to anyone who could cure the world’s most pernicious diseases. But the effort has found few allies.”
HCV, HIV AND HBV rapid test diagnosis in non-clinical outreach settings can be as accurate as conventional laboratory tests
“Point of care rapid diagnostic tests (POC-RDT) for Hepatitis C virus (HCV), Human Immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and Hepatitis B virus (HBV), are ideal for screening in non-clinical outreach settings as they can provide immediate results and facilitate diagnosis, allowing high risk population screening.”
New York State Department of Health Recognizes Hepatitis Awareness Month
“ALBANY, N.Y. (May 10, 2023) – In recognition of Hepatitis Awareness Month, the New York State Department of Health outlined its progress on the New York State Hepatitis C Elimination Plan during the First Annual New York State Hepatitis C Elimination Progress Report. The State has made significant strides in working to eliminate hepatitis C.”
Video
Doctor recommends everyone get tested at least once for Hepatitis C
Brazos County Health District offers free Hepatitis C screenings in May
Kris Kowdley, MD: The Opioid Epidemic is Burdening Hepatitis C Elimination
