Hit the Road, Hep C... and Don't You Come Back No More...!

Gastroenterology (Digestive Health), Primary Care / Family Medicine

Hepatitis C (HCV) is a viral infection that affects the liver and can cause, life threatening, chronic illness. HCV is spread through contact with infected blood which can happen by sharing needles or from unsafe procedures such as blood transfusions with unscreened blood products. HCV can also be passed from an infected mother to her baby and via sexual practices that lead to exposure to blood. There is no vaccine for HCV, but it can be treated with antiviral medications. Early detection and treatment can prevent serious liver damage and improve long-term health. Approximately 1 out of every 150 Albertans are infected with HCV, but only half are aware of their health status. A 2019 study showed Alberta was previously on track to reach viral hepatitis elimination by 2030 (a goal of the World Health Organization), but healthcare setbacks during the COVID-19 pandemic impeded progress, as rates of HCV testing and treatment are 30% lower than pre-pandemic levels. In Alberta, routine prenatal screening includes HCV screening, but newcomers to Canada are not routinely screened for HCV. 

To help increase hepatitis screening in primary care, a learning event was co-developed in collaboration with the Edmonton North Primary Care Network, Dr. Mat Rose, a clinical professor at the University of Alberta, and the Associate Medical Director at Radius Community Health & Healing, and Dr Molly Whalen-Browne from the New Canadian Health Centre. This 2 part webinar series focused on providing education and resources to support family physicians and their teams in identifying at-risk populations, interpreting test results, and managing and referring patients for treatment.