Michigan s hepatitis C infections doubled last decade, but payment changes could cut numbers
Ponni Perumalswami
Michigan s removal of prior authorization last month for Medicaid patients to receive expensive but effective hepatitis C medications could begin to expand access to the cure for up to 200,000 people in the state living with the virus, said a University of Michigan specialty physician.
If left untreated, hepatitis C can cause cause liver damage or cancer and death, said Dr. Ponni Perumalswami, a Michigan Medicine gastroenterologist and transplant hepatologist.
Despite advances in treatment for hepatitis C the past four years, Michigan has seen a 71% increase in acute cases over the same time period.
Michigan s hepatitis C infections doubled last decade, but payment changes could cut numbers
Hepatitis C has been increasing in Michigan rural areas and due to opioid addiction crisis
State encourages providers to increase testing of at-risk patients
Ponni Perumalswami
Michigan s removal of prior authorization last month for Medicaid patients to receive expensive but effective hepatitis C medications could begin to expand access to the cure for up to 200,000 people in the state living with the virus, said a University of Michigan specialty physician.
If left untreated, hepatitis C can cause cause liver damage or cancer and death, said Dr. Ponni Perumalswami, a Michigan Medicine gastroenterologist and transplant hepatologist.
SOM - Governor Whitmer declares May as Hepatitis Awareness Month michigan.gov - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from michigan.gov Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Whitmer
May 2021: Hepatitis Awareness Month
WHEREAS, over four million Americans are living with chronic hepatitis, and many do not know it, as people often are asymptotic. Without a blood test, they may never know they have the hepatitis B or C virus; and,
WHEREAS, hepatitis B and C are the most common blood-borne infections in the United States that primarily affect the liver. Infection can be acute (lasting six months or less) or chronic (lasting more than six months); and,
WHEREAS, hepatitis B and C make up 65 percent of factors contributing to liver cancer incidence in the United States. If left untreated, severe health complications can occur, including liver damage, liver failure, and death; and,
May marks Hepatitis Awareness Month at a time when North Carolina is experiencing rising rates of hepatitis C virus (HCV) transmission, fueled by injection drug use. Today more than 150,000 residents of our state are living with HCV. The impact of HCV can be significant if not treated, including liver disease and death. HCV is particularly acute in southern and Appalachian states, where rates of injection drug use have led to more than a threefold increase in HCV transmissions.
North Carolina has made significant strides to combat HCV, including legalizing syringe service programs in 2016, in order to support the health of people who use drugs. These programs offer sterile injection equipment and collect used syringes. Syringe service programs, sometimes known as drug-user health hubs, also often provide other services, including HIV and hepatitis testing, peer support and wound care.