Assessing Disparities in the Rates of HCV Diagnoses Within American Indian or Alaska Native Populations Served by the U.S. Indian Health Service, 2005 –2015

AbstractHepatitis C virus (HCV) disproportionately affects American Indians/Alaska Natives (AI/AN). The Indian Health Service (IHS), via federal and tribal health facilities provides medical services to an estimated 2.2  million AI/AN people in the United States. HCV diagnoses, defined by International Classification of Diseases 9th Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) codes, were analyzed from 2005 to 2015. Results showed 29,803 patients with an HCV diagnosis; 53.4% were among persons born 1945–1965 and o verall HCV burden was higher among males than females. These data will help inform local, regional, and national efforts to address, plan for and carry out a national strategy to provide treatment for HCV infected patients and programs to prevent new HCV infections.
Source: Journal of Community Health - Category: International Medicine & Public Health Source Type: research