All articles tagged with #hepatitis c
A Florida doctor, Lily J. Voepel, faces disciplinary action after her office was found to have unsafe practices that led to at least three patients contracting hepatitis C, resulting in a temporary license suspension, fines, and mandatory training to improve infection control.
Maegan Clay's father was infected with hepatitis C through contaminated NHS blood products in the 1980s, a revelation that came too late to save his life and deeply affected their relationship. The scandal, involving thousands of victims, has led to a government inquiry, compensation schemes, and ongoing calls for justice and acknowledgment for those affected.
A report highlights that effective hepatitis C treatments, despite their high cost, ultimately reduce overall federal healthcare spending by curing the disease and preventing costly complications, illustrating a 'grim reaper effect' where government hesitance to fund life-saving treatments is counterproductive.
Liver cancer cases are projected to double by 2050, with over half potentially preventable through vaccination, early detection, and lifestyle changes, especially addressing viral infections, obesity, and alcohol use.
A study published in Lancet finds that three out of five liver cancer cases are preventable by addressing causes like hepatitis B and C, alcohol use, and metabolic issues, but if current trends continue, cases could nearly double to 1.5 million annually by 2050.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced a $100 million pilot program to eliminate Hepatitis C among populations with substance use disorder and mental illness, focusing on high-risk communities affected by homelessness, aiming to improve testing, treatment, and cure rates while reducing reinfection and healthcare costs.
A study found traces of hepatitis C virus in the brain lining of people with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, suggesting a potential link between viral infections and psychiatric conditions, which could lead to new treatment approaches.
A study found traces of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in the brain lining of individuals with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, suggesting a potential link between viral infections and psychiatric conditions, which could lead to new treatment approaches using antiviral drugs.
Researchers found hepatitis C virus in the brain lining of individuals with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, suggesting a potential link between infection and psychiatric symptoms, and raising the possibility that antiviral treatments could help alleviate these symptoms.
The Southeastern Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Inc. (SCADD) is bringing Hepatitis C treatment directly to patients at its Lebanon Pines facility in Connecticut, aiming to reduce stigma and keep patients in the program. With an estimated 18,300 people in the state living with Hepatitis C, the on-site treatment provides a safe space for men with concurrent addiction and mental health disorders to reintroduce them to healthcare. The organization's efforts align with President Joe Biden's proposed $11 billion plan to eradicate Hepatitis C, emphasizing the potential to cure the illness and prevent its spread.
New U.S. hepatitis C infections dropped by 6% in 2022, marking a surprising improvement after a decade of steady increases. Health officials are uncertain whether this decline is a statistical blip or the start of a downward trend, and are awaiting 2023 and 2024 data for further insights. While infection rates declined for white Americans, they continued to rise in Black, Latino, and Native American communities. Factors contributing to the decline may include successful prevention efforts, needle exchanges, and a shift from injecting to smoking drugs among users. Despite the encouraging decline, the 2022 statistics are still twice as high as those in 2015, and the CDC estimates that about 67,000 new hepatitis C infections occurred in 2022.
Matt Lincoln, a victim of the contaminated blood scandal in the 1970s and 1980s, contracted hepatitis C through a blood transfusion while being treated for leukaemia. After being recently cured of the virus, he has started helping others affected by the scandal. The public inquiry into the scandal, described as the worst treatment disaster in NHS history, has recommended full compensation for victims and relatives, with the final report due to be published on 20th May 2024.
In Los Angeles County, the battle against hepatitis C relies on unpaid volunteers due to scant public funding, with a partnership between USC and the county public health department training volunteers to contact those infected and encourage treatment. The virus has taken a toll on marginalized populations, and obstacles such as limited resources and patient awareness contribute to the high number of untreated cases. While the Biden administration seeks funding to eliminate hepatitis C, the current initiative, Project Connect, relies on volunteers and faces limitations in reaching and treating patients.
Hepatitis C is a common viral illness affecting millions of people worldwide, including 3 million Americans. It can be transmitted through blood, medical equipment, sexual contact, and from mother to child. New treatments have emerged that are highly effective at eradicating the virus, with a treatment duration of 8-12 weeks. Alcohol consumption increases the risk of developing breast cancer in women, with even modest amounts contributing to the risk. Taking folate may help reduce the risk, but it does not completely eliminate it. Alcohol consumption rates have been increasing in the U.S., and while it may be a contributing factor to the rising incidence of breast cancer, it is not the sole cause.
Egypt, which successfully eliminated hepatitis C within its own population, is now leveraging its success to help other African countries. Egypt has pledged to donate drugs and share expertise with the goal of treating a million African patients. This is an unusual gesture in the world of global health, where developing countries typically receive assistance from high-income nations. With about 58 million people globally chronically infected with hepatitis C, and the majority living in low- and middle-income countries, this initiative aims to address a disease that has been largely neglected in public health plans. Ghana is one of the countries benefiting from Egypt's donation, and efforts are underway to screen and treat infected individuals. The hope is that this program will inspire other countries to take action and eliminate hepatitis C as well.