Alarming Decline in Hepatitis C Treatment Despite Surge in Infections
Despite significant advances in hepatitis C treatment regimens, data from the past five years is nothing less than alarming. Alongside a surge in infections, there has been a definitive decline in people seeking hepatitis C treatment. Moreover, this decline extends well beyond the COVID-19 crisis. Indeed, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports a five-year drop from 2015 to 2019. Even in “normative” years, infected people avoid hepatitis C treatment options. Unfortunately, many people do not realize that hepatitis C (HCV) is a deadly virus that destroys the liver and kills the host.
As a provider of integrated healthcare solutions, Tarzana Treatment Centers (TTC) is not surprised. The record of service of TTC shows decades of providing hepatitis C treatment and testing services to diverse populations. Hence, along with mental health and substance use disorder (SUD) services, TTC remains on the front lines of HCV treatment and testing protocols. Following in line with the CDC data, HCV treatment numbers are falling and declining.
Hepatitis C Treatment Decline = No Elimination of the Virus
Presented at the 2021 American Association of the Study of Liver Disease (AASLD) meeting, the CDC statistics uncover a stark failure. The computer models show that 260,000 people need to be treated annually to eliminate the virus by 2030. With less than half that number (120,000 people) seeking HCV treatment, the golden gate of viral eliminations now seems impossible to reach.
Overall, due to COVID-19, hepatitis C testing and treatment undergoes a sharp dip in 2020 when compared to 2019. However, the drop also happened from 2015 to 2019. Given local barriers, this dip is not surprising, according to the CDC press release:
“Barriers to treatment still remain in many state Medicaid policies such as:
- Restrictions on provider-types who can manage treatment
- Patient sobriety requirements which can deter people from seeking life-saving treatment
- Prior authorization processes before treatment can begin”
In contrast, TTC prides itself as a nonprofit organization that takes down such barriers. Indeed, one of TTC’s ongoing goals is to provide HCV testing and treatment to diverse populations.
A Surge in HCV Infections = Darker Side of Hepatitis C Treatment Decline
Additionally, the CDC press release figures uncover the dark side of HCV treatment decline. Like an unexpected gut punch, the CDC data reveal that acute hepatitis infections quadrupled from 2009 to 2019. Once again, injection drug use remains the most reported and obvious risk factor for HCV infection.
The reason behind the surge in HCV infections is the continuing opioid crisis. Thus, younger adults are the population experiencing more HCV infections. Moreover, injection drug use is the primary route of transmission. Therefore, there is no question that the ongoing opioid crisis is the moving force behind the surge.
The question that TTC wants to ask is how we can fix the problem? Indeed, highlighting the decline of hepatitis C treatment and the surge in infections is not enough. Thus, solutions are a priority, and TTC offers integrated healthcare solutions. With years of providing quality hepatitis C treatment and testing options, we are the resource that people need.
Please do not hesitate to learn more about hepatitis C testing and treatment options at Tarzana Treatment Centers. Take the first step in saving a life and contact us today.