New Diagnostics and Guidelines Developments Advancing Hepatitis C Elimination in the United States-New Diagnosis and Guideline Updates for Hepatitis C Elimination in the US

New Diagnosis and Guideline Updates for Hepatitis C Elimination in the US

Video Transcription

Video Summary

Dr. Eduardo Gepez-Guevara and colleagues discuss advancements in eliminating hepatitis C (HCV) in the United States, featuring a presentation by Dr. Caroline Wester from the CDC. Despite the curability of HCV, approximately 2.4 million Americans are affected, with many unaware of their status. While progress has been made in reducing HCV-related deaths, new infection rates remain high. Updated screening guidelines recommend universal one-time screening for adults, including pregnant women, to address gaps left by risk-based testing. Barriers such as limited access to testing and treatment, especially for high-risk populations, impede elimination efforts. The introduction of a point-of-care RNA test by the FDA offers potential for streamlined diagnosis and immediate treatment initiation. Ensuring affordable testing, high-level political support, and integrated care in high-risk settings are essential steps learned from global collaborations. The full presentation is available on liver learning.

Keywords

Hepatitis C

screening guidelines

point-of-care RNA test

barriers to treatment

integrated care