American Indians/Alaska Natives have the highest rate of new hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections of all ethnic groups, according to recent surveillance data from CDC.
The IHS has distributed updated guidelines on HCV prevention, testing, and treatment to IHS facilities. The guidelines are based on those of the National Viral Hepatitis Action Plan for 2017-2020, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, the CDC, and the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases.
Tribal programs are an important element of the outreach. In 2015, for instance, the Cherokee Nation became the first tribe in the U.S. to launch an HCV Elimination Project, with the goal of screening 80,000 patients over the next 3 years. Last year, 23,000 patients were screened.
Other programs provide telehealth and teleconsultation services to treat patients on-site, rather than referring them to facilities far from their communities. A pharmacist-led treatment program, for example, in conjunction with a local physician and Project ECHO (Extension for Community Health Outcomes) and telehealth programs, has successfully cured > 10 patients on the Fort Peck reservation.
An estimated 20,000 to 40,000 IHS patients need HCV treatment. The IHS encourages anyone with HCV—even those who had unsuccessful treatment in the past—to seek care as soon as possible.