Decreases in Hepatitis C Testing and Treatment During the COVID-19 Pandemic
May 28, 2021
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Julia Zigman
The COVID-19 pandemic caused major decreases in hepatitis C virus testing and treatment, hindering efforts to meet WHO goals for 2030, according to a study in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.
The study demonstrated that, when compared with 2018 and 2019, HCV antibody testing volume decreased 59% during April 2020 and rebounded to a 6% reduction in July. Additionally, they found that the number of HCV RNA-positive results fell by 62% in March 2020 and remained 39% below the baseline by July 2020. The study showed that prescriptions for HCV treatments also decreased 43% in May, 37% in June and 38% July, relative to the corresponding months in 2018 and 2019.
Learn more about the study at Healio, or read the full text in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine here.
About Julia Zigman
Pronouns: she/her
Julia Zigman is a Program Analyst on the NACCHO HIV, STI, & Viral Hepatitis team. Julia focuses primarily on NACCHO’s Ending the HIV Epidemic portfolio and is a lead staff member for the HIV, STI, and Viral Hepatitis Workgroup. Learn more about these programs here.
