A Tale of Two Epidemics — HCV Treatment among Native Americans and Veterans
Authors: Brigg Reilley, J. Leston
Publication Year: 2017
Last Updated: 2018-02-01 11:02:31
Journal: New England Journal of Medicine
Keywords: Hepatitis C, HCV, epidemic, IHS, Indian Health Service, American Indian, Alaska Native, AI/AN, viral infection, liver damage
Short Abstract:
In recent years, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care system has mounted a response to HCV that should be the envy of any health system, public or private. On the other hand, the Indian Health Service (IHS), an agency that serves American Indians and Alaska Natives, is struggling to meet the needs of its patients with HCV.
Abstract:
In light of ongoing debates about health care budgets and rising drug prices, a current public health crisis can provide useful insights. For patients who get their health care through two separate federal agencies, the hepatitis C virus (HCV) epidemic is unfolding in vastly different ways. In recent years, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care system has mounted a response to HCV that should be the envy of any health system, public or private. On the other hand, the Indian Health Service (IHS), an agency that serves American Indians and Alaska Natives, is struggling to meet the needs of its patients with HCV.
Hepatitis C is a chronic viral infection that affects an estimated 3.5 million Americans. The majority of these people were exposed to the virus decades ago, and many of them still don’t know they are infected, since HCV often remains asymptomatic for many years as it silently damages the liver.
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