A Study On Data On Hcv Prevalence Leaves Out A Large Number Of Those

A study by Dr. Eric Chak in 2011 suggested that NHANEs data on HCV prevalence leaves out a large number of those who are predominately affected by HCV, those are the excluded groups of incarcerated, homeless, nursing home residing, deployed, and hospitalized peoples. While NHANES data usually contains PWID or the drug users targeted by our study, the NHANES survey underestimates the number of people living with HCV because it excludes these groups. So state VHPCs were asked to apply these findings and provide the adjustments for excluded groups for each of their states in comparison to the NHANES survey. Not including Kentucky, 102 million people with HCV were not included in the NHANES data for this region and on average 255.2 people were not included in NHANES data per state. All states that reported data report a pilot program of some sort, ranging from Maryland’s Focus to Aspire Indiana. Tennessee is relying on CDC’s Ghost program, a CDC-led breakthrough in genotypic hepatitis screening which allows for enhanced hepatitis screening programs in areas like Tennessee. The majority of these pilot programs succeeded in engaging Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), Community Based Organizations (CBOs), and other health departments in their networks, but few were able to engage Correctional facilities or Rehabilitation centers. North Carolina which engaged drug rehabilitation centers devised a program based on the 2013 Viral Hepatitis Vulnerability Report called…