A study on veterans with hepatitis C found that an overall successful hepatitis C elimination program by the Department of Veterans Affairs resulted in 80.1% of veterans initiating treatment, with 91.6% achieving sustained virologic response. Younger veterans were less likely to initiate treatment and achieve SVR. Factors such as stimulant and opioid use, unstable housing, and hepatitis B coinfection were negatively associated with treatment initiation and SVR. The study concluded that the VA’s multifaceted approach to HCV care, including removing barriers to treatment and proactive referral systems, can serve as a model to improve HCV care in other health systems.
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VA’s HCV elimination program ‘incredibly successful’
