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Wolfe HL, Hughto JMW, Quint M, Hashemi L, Hughes LD. Hepatitis C Virus Testing and Care Cascade Among Transgender and Gender Diverse Individuals. Am J Prev Med 2023; 64:695-703. [PMID: 36759228 PMCID: PMC10121731 DOI: 10.1016/j.amepre.2023.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2022] [Revised: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Hepatitis C virus (HCV) prevalence among transgender and gender-diverse individuals ranges from 1.8% to 15.7% versus 1% in the general population. Previous HCV studies inclusive of transgender and gender-diverse individuals primarily rely on convenience-based sampling methods or are geographically restricted. The purpose of this study is to compare the prevalence of HCV diagnoses, testing, and care engagement between transgender and gender-diverse and cisgender individuals. METHODS Using Optum's de-identified Clinformatics® Data Mart Database, in 2022, the unadjusted prevalence of HCV testing among all adults and people who inject drugs from January 2001 to December 2019 was measured. Multivariable logistic regression was used to compare the adjusted odds of HCV diagnoses and care engagement by gender subgroup. RESULTS The overall unadjusted frequency of HCV diagnoses among transgender and gender-diverse individuals was approximately 3 times that of cisgender individuals (1.06% vs 0.38%, p<0.001), including among people who inject drugs (6.36% vs 2.36%, p=0.007). Compared with cisgender women, transfeminine/nonbinary individuals had over 5 times the adjusted odds of a HCV diagnosis and approximately 3.5 times the odds of being tested for HCV. In addition, compared with cisgender women, transfeminine/nonbinary individuals had significantly increased odds of having a HCV‒related procedure (e.g., abdominal ultrasounds, liver biopsies, Fibroscans). Cisgender men had significantly increased odds of receiving HCV medication compared with cisgender women. CONCLUSIONS Although testing was higher among transgender and gender-diverse individuals, the higher overall frequency of HCV diagnoses among transgender and gender-diverse than among cisgender individuals signals persistent health disparities. Interventions are warranted to prevent HCV and increase ongoing testing and treatment uptake among transgender and gender-diverse populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hill L Wolfe
- Department of Health Law, Policy & Management, School of Public Health, Boston University, Boston, Massachussetts.
| | - Jaclyn M W Hughto
- Center for Health Promotion and Health Equity, School of Public Health, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island; Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences, School of Public Health, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island; Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island; The Fenway Institute, Fenway Health, Boston, Massachussetts
| | - Meg Quint
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Hypertension, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachussetts
| | - Leila Hashemi
- Division of Primary Care, Department of Medicine, VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Los Angeles, California; David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Landon D Hughes
- Department of Health Behavior & Health Education, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan; Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
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Collis OA, Ashley PA, Chen LH, Pedula KL, Miyashiro SM, Yamashita SK. Hepatitis B Core Antibody Positivity Associated with Increased Risk of Liver Cancer in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis C: Analysis of a Large Patient Cohort in Hawai'i. HAWAI'I JOURNAL OF HEALTH & SOCIAL WELFARE 2022; 81:127-133. [PMID: 35528754 PMCID: PMC9077569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Chronic hepatitis C infection is a major cause of liver cancer in the United States. Hawai'i's incidence of liver cancer consistently ranks among the highest in the US, due in part to the high prevalence of hepatitis B in the state. To better understand the factors associated with liver cancer among patients in Hawai'i with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, the patient database of Kaiser Permanente's Hawai'i region was used to identify a cohort of 3198 patients with a history of chronic HCV infection, of whom 159 (5%) were diagnosed with liver cancer between the years 2004-2020. Multiple logistic regression was used to identify factors independently associated with liver cancer. Male sex (AOR 2.02, 95% CI 1.34-3.06), Asian race (AOR 1.78, 1.16 - 2.74) and hepatitis B core antibody (HBCAB) positivity (AOR 1.76, 95% CI 1.25 - 2.49) emerged as independent predictors of liver cancer among patients with chronic HCV infection. A history of diabetes (AOR 1.56, 1.07 - 2.27) and older age at the time of HCV diagnosis (AOR 1.19, 1.09-1.29) also emerged as significant associations. HBCAB-positive individuals did not differ significantly from those who were HBCAB-negative in regards to demographics or 5-year survival rate. In this cohort of patients with chronic HCV, a positive HBCAB without evidence of active hepatitis B infection was associated with 1.76 increased odds of liver cancer compared to those with negative HBCAB. This finding may have important implications for screening algorithms among individuals with hepatitis C infection.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Patrycja A. Ashley
- Kaiser Permanente Internal Medicine Residency Program, Honolulu, HI (PAA, LC)
| | - Li-Hsieh Chen
- Kaiser Permanente Internal Medicine Residency Program, Honolulu, HI (PAA, LC)
| | - Kathryn L Pedula
- Hawai‘i Permanente Medical Group, Kaiser Permanente, Honolulu, HI (KLP)
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Layman RA, Turner BS, Harmon JL, McClymont U. Improving HCV Risk Assessment and Testing in a Federally Qualified Health Center Setting in Baltimore, Maryland. J Community Health 2021; 45:712-716. [PMID: 31897964 DOI: 10.1007/s10900-019-00785-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Approximately 4.1 million adults in the United States have past or current hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Despite efforts to test at least once for the 1945-1965 birth cohort population and others identified at risk, the completion of the annual risk assessment tool and testing of these patients has been suboptimal. The aim of this project was to reduce HCV risk assessment and testing barriers and improve both these rates by 30% within a federally qualified health center setting in Baltimore, Maryland. As part of ongoing efforts to promote HCV risk screening and testing, targeted interventions of staff education, streamlined risk screening assessment, automated electronic health record alerts, push reports, and standing orders were integrated into current screening and testing practices. This study examined the risk assessment tool use and testing rates for 1 month before and after project implementation. All patients who were seen for a primary care visit during the month preceding (n = 8911) and following (n = 8228) the intervention were evaluated. A total of 2973 risk assessments and 1831 HCV tests were completed pre-intervention compared to 3708 risk assessments and 3790 tests post-intervention, demonstrating a 35% and 125% improvement respectively. Seropositivity prevalence of 2.1% pre-intervention increased to 2.9% post-intervention. Efficiencies in workflow processes and staff education successfully impacted the HCV risk screening tool completions and testing rates for the birth cohort and non-birth cohort patients. Integrating such strategies in the primary care workflow can increase HCV detection and timely follow up for vulnerable populations.
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Dimova RB, Rude E, Talal AH. Age- and risk factor-based serologic screening for Hepatitis C virus among an Urban, high-risk population. J Viral Hepat 2020; 27:1369-1387. [PMID: 32615009 DOI: 10.1111/jvh.13359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2020] [Revised: 06/10/2020] [Accepted: 06/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/09/2022]
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) screening among individuals born between 1945 and 1965 (ie birth cohort) may augment risk factor-based screening. We assessed HCV seropositivity among injection drug users (IDUs) and birth cohort members from New York City. We assessed HCV risk factors and seropositivity in 7722 participants from community health, HIV prevention, syringe exchange and drug treatment programmes. A total of 26.6% were HCV seropositive, 55.8% were born between 1945 and 1965, and 82.2% had ever injected drugs. Among all participants, HCV seropositivity was higher among IDUs compared to non-IDUs (60.5% versus 7.7%, odds ratio (OR) = 18.5, 95% confidence interval (CI) [16.2, 21.1], P < .0001) and among birth cohort members compared to non-birth cohort members (31.3% versus 22.3%, OR = 1.6, 95%CI [1.4, 1.8], P < .0001). Within the birth cohort, HCV seroprevalence among IDUs was 68.5% versus 11.8%, OR = 16.2, 95%CI [13.7, 19.3]. After adjustment, HCV seroprevalence was higher in IDUs, previously incarcerated, whites (<42 years) and 'other races' (versus blacks), HIV-infected, those who snorted heroin, those with liver disease history, and those who had sex with an HCV-seropositive partner. HCV seroprevalence among IDU, birth cohort members, was considerably higher than among the general population. In this high-risk, urban population, the association between IDU and HCV seropositivity was approximately ten times that between birth cohort membership and HCV seropositivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rositsa B Dimova
- Department of Biostatistics, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Eric Rude
- New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, New York, NY, USA
| | - Andrew H Talal
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Department of Medicine, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA
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Assoumou SA, Nolen S, Hagan L, Wang J, Eftekhari Yazdi G, Thompson WW, Mayer KH, Puro J, Zhu L, Salomon JA, Linas BP. Hepatitis C Management at Federally Qualified Health Centers during the Opioid Epidemic: A Cost-Effectiveness Study. Am J Med 2020; 133:e641-e658. [PMID: 32603791 PMCID: PMC8041089 DOI: 10.1016/j.amjmed.2020.05.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2020] [Revised: 04/21/2020] [Accepted: 05/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The opioid epidemic has been associated with an increase in hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections. Federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) have a high burden of hepatitis C disease and could serve as venues to enhance testing and treatment. METHODS We estimated clinical outcomes and the cost-effectiveness of hepatitis C testing and treatment at US FQHCs using individual-based simulation modeling. We used individual-level data from 57 FQHCs to model 9 strategies, including permutations of HCV antibody testing modality, person initiating testing, and testing approach. Outcomes included life expectancy, quality-adjusted life-years (QALY), hepatitis C cases identified, treated and cured; and incremental cost-effectiveness ratios. RESULTS Compared with current practice (risk-based with laboratory-based testing), routine rapid point-of-care testing initiated and performed by a counselor identified 68% more cases after (nonreflex) RNA testing in the first month of the intervention and led to a 17% reduction in cirrhosis cases and a 22% reduction in liver deaths among those with cirrhosis over a lifetime. Routine rapid testing initiated by a counselor or a clinician provided better outcomes at either lower total cost or at lower cost per QALY gained, when compared with all other strategies. Findings were most influenced by the proportion of patients informed of their anti-HCV test results. CONCLUSIONS Routine anti-HCV testing followed by prompt RNA testing for positives is recommended at FQHCs to identify infections. If using dedicated staff or point-of-care testing is not feasible, then measures to improve immediate patient knowledge of antibody status should be considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina A Assoumou
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Boston Medical Center, MA; Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, MA.
| | - Shayla Nolen
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Boston Medical Center, MA
| | - Liesl Hagan
- Prevention Branch, Division of Viral Hepatitis, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Ga
| | - Jianing Wang
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Boston Medical Center, MA
| | | | - William W Thompson
- Prevention Branch, Division of Viral Hepatitis, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Ga
| | - Kenneth H Mayer
- The Fenway Institute, Fenway Health, Boston, MA; Infectious Diseases, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | | | - Lin Zhu
- Department of Global Health and Population, Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA
| | | | - Benjamin P Linas
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Boston Medical Center, MA; Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, MA; Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, MA
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Salek TP, Katz AR, Lenze SM, Lusk HM, Li D, Des Jarlais DC. Seroprevalence of HCV and HIV infection among clients of the nation's longest-standing statewide syringe exchange program: A cross-sectional study of Community Health Outreach Work to Prevent AIDS (CHOW). THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2017; 48:34-43. [PMID: 28779632 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2017.06.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2017] [Revised: 06/07/2017] [Accepted: 06/15/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Community Health Outreach Work to Prevent AIDS (CHOW) Project is the first and longest-standing statewide integrated and funded needle and syringe exchange program (SEP) in the US. Initiated on O'ahu in 1990, CHOW expanded statewide in 1993. The purpose of this study is to estimate the prevalences of hepatitis C virus (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, and to characterize risk behaviors associated with infection among clients of a long-standing SEP through the analysis of the 2012 CHOW evaluation data. METHODS A cross-sectional sample of 130 CHOW Project clients was selected from January 1, 2012 through December 31, 2012. Questionnaires captured self-reported exposure information. HIV and HCV antibodies were detected via rapid, point-of-care FDA-approved tests. Log-binomial regressions were used to estimate prevalence proportion ratios (PPRs). A piecewise linear log-binomial regression model containing 1 spline knot was used to fit the age-HCV relationship. RESULTS The estimated seroprevalence of HCV was 67.7% (95% confidence interval [CI]=59.5-75.8%). HIV seroprevalence was 2.3% (95% CI=0-4.9%). Anti-HCV prevalence demonstrated age-specific patterns, ranging from 31.6% through 90.9% in people who inject drugs (PWID) <30 to ≥60 years respectively. Age (continuous/year) prior to spline knot at 51.5 years (adjusted PPR [APPR]=1.03; 95% CI=1.02-1.05) and months exchanging syringes (quartiles) (APPR=1.92; 95% CI=1.3-3.29) were independently associated with anti-HCV prevalence. CONCLUSION In Hawai'i, HCV prevalence among PWID is hyperendemic demonstrating age- and SEP duration-specific trends. Relatively low HIV prevalence compared with HCV prevalence reflects differences in transmissibility of these 2 blood-borne pathogens and suggests much greater efficacy of SEP for HIV prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas P Salek
- University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Office of Public Health Studies, 1960 East-West Road, Biomed. D204, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA.
| | - Alan R Katz
- University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Office of Public Health Studies, 1960 East-West Road, Biomed. D204, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA.
| | - Stacy M Lenze
- The Community Health Outreach Work to Prevent AIDS Project (CHOW Project), 677 Ala Moana Blvd., Suite 226, Honolulu, HI 96813, USA.
| | - Heather M Lusk
- The Community Health Outreach Work to Prevent AIDS Project (CHOW Project), 677 Ala Moana Blvd., Suite 226, Honolulu, HI 96813, USA.
| | - Dongmei Li
- University of Rochester Medical Center, School of Medicine and Dentistry, 601 Elmwood Ave, CU420708, Rochester, NY 14642, USA.
| | - Don C Des Jarlais
- The Baron Edmond de Rothschild Chemical Dependency Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 39 Broadway, Fifth Floor, Suite 530, New York, NY 10006, USA.
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Blosnich JR, Marsiglio MC, Dichter ME, Gao S, Gordon AJ, Shipherd JC, Kauth MR, Brown GR, Fine MJ. Impact of Social Determinants of Health on Medical Conditions Among Transgender Veterans. Am J Prev Med 2017; 52:491-498. [PMID: 28161034 PMCID: PMC8256921 DOI: 10.1016/j.amepre.2016.12.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2016] [Revised: 11/09/2016] [Accepted: 12/13/2016] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Transgender individuals experience pronounced disparities in health (e.g., mood disorders, suicide risk) and in the prevalence of social determinants of housing instability, financial strain, and violence. The objectives of this study were to understand the prevalence of social determinants among transgender veterans and assess their associations with medical conditions. METHODS This project was a records review using administrative data from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs databases for 1997-2014. Transgender veterans (N=6,308) were defined as patients with any of four ICD-9 diagnosis codes associated with transgender status. Social determinants were operationalized using ICD-9 codes and Department of Veterans Affairs clinical screens indicating violence, housing instability, or financial strain. Multiple logistic regression was used to assess the associations of social determinants with medical conditions: mood disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, alcohol abuse disorder, illicit drug abuse disorder, tobacco use disorder, suicidal risk, HIV, and hepatitis C. RESULTS After adjusting for sociodemographic variables, housing instability and financial strain were significantly associated with all medical conditions except for HIV, and violence was significantly associated with all medical conditions except for tobacco use disorder and HIV. There was a dose response-like relationship between the increasing number of forms of social determinants being associated with increasing odds for medical conditions. CONCLUSIONS Social determinants are prevalent factors in transgender patients' lives, exhibiting strong associations with medical conditions. Documenting social determinants in electronic health records can help providers to identify and address these factors in treatment goals.
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Affiliation(s)
- John R Blosnich
- Center for Health Equity Research and Promotion, VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Department of Behavioral and Community Health Sciences, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
| | | | - Melissa E Dichter
- Center for Health Equity Research and Promotion, Philadelphia VA Medical Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Shasha Gao
- Center for Health Equity Research and Promotion, VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Adam J Gordon
- Center for Health Equity Research and Promotion, VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Division of General Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; MIRECC, VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Jillian C Shipherd
- LGBT Program Office of Patient Care Services, Department of Veterans Affairs, Washington, District of Columbia; VA Boston Healthcare System, National Center for PTSD, Women's Health Sciences Division, Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Psychiatry, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Michael R Kauth
- LGBT Program Office of Patient Care Services, Department of Veterans Affairs, Washington, District of Columbia; South Central MIRECC, Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, Houston, Texas; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas; Houston VA HSR&D Center for Innovations in Quality, Effectiveness and Safety, Houston, Texas
| | - George R Brown
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, Tennessee; Mountain Home VA Medical Center, Mountain Home, Tennessee
| | - Michael J Fine
- Center for Health Equity Research and Promotion, VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Division of General Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
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Takeuchi LC, Pham TK, Katz AR. Hepatitis C virus antibody prevalence, demographics and associated factors among persons screened at Hawai'i community-based health settings, 2010-2013. HAWAI'I JOURNAL OF MEDICINE & PUBLIC HEALTH : A JOURNAL OF ASIA PACIFIC MEDICINE & PUBLIC HEALTH 2015; 74:9-15. [PMID: 25628977 PMCID: PMC4300540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
We sought to determine the prevalence of HCV infection and identify factors associated with HCV infection among clients presenting to community-based health settings in Hawai'i from 2010-2013. An earlier report on this study population covered the period from December 2002 through May 2010. Since 2010, the HCV screening inclusion criteria have been relaxed, and the program has greatly expanded. Clients from 26 community-based sites were administered questionnaires, and were screened for HCV antibodies from January 2010 through April 2013 (N = 8,588). Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed. HCV antibody prevalence was 5.9% compared with 11.9% from 2002-2010. Persons aged 45-65 years had the highest HCV antibody prevalence (8.4%) compared with all other age groups. Significant independent variables associated with HCV antibody prevalence were injection drug use, blood transfusion before July 1992, and having an HCV-infected sexual partner. While characteristics associated with HCV infection remained essentially unchanged from those identified in the earlier analysis, the expansion of screening sites and less restrictive inclusion criteria led to a much larger study population and a concurrent decrease in overall HCV antibody prevalence. However, while the highest age-specific prevalence remained the same for both screening periods, the prevalence among younger persons (< 30 years old) doubled (from 2.4% to 4.7%). By expanding the HCV screening program and relaxing the inclusion criteria, a greater number of HCV-infected persons and a greater proportion of younger persons with HCV infection were identified while still maintaining a focus on at-risk individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa C Takeuchi
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Hawai'i at Manoa, Honolulu, HI
| | - Thaddeus K Pham
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Hawai'i at Manoa, Honolulu, HI
| | - Alan R Katz
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Hawai'i at Manoa, Honolulu, HI
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