Hepatitis C Testing in the US Veterans Health Administration: Uptake of United States Preventive Services Taskforce Universal Hepatitis C Screening Guidance - Summary - MDSpire
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Hepatitis C Testing in the US Veterans Health Administration: Uptake of United States Preventive Services Taskforce Universal Hepatitis C Screening Guidance
To assess the status of HCV screening in veterans in care from 2021 to 2023 and identify emerging high-prevalence groups for future interventions.
Key Findings:
75% of veterans aged 18–79 in VHA care received HCV testing from 2021 to 2023.
5% of those tested were antibody positive, with 95.5% receiving confirmatory testing.
Higher odds of HCV testing and positivity were found in veterans with alcohol use disorder, opioid use disorder, stimulant use disorder, mental health diagnoses, unstable housing, advanced liver disease, hepatitis B, or HIV.
Interpretation:
The VHA has effectively implemented HCV screening, achieving high testing rates and confirmatory testing compliance, which can serve as a model for other health systems.
Limitations:
The study is limited to veterans in VHA care and may not represent the general population.
Data may not capture all individuals who were screened outside of VHA.
Conclusion:
The VHA's comprehensive approach to HCV testing demonstrates significant progress in screening and can inform future health interventions.
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