Hepatitis C Is Not A Public Health Crisis - 1473 Words

Hepatitis C is definitely not a public health crisis that needs emergency intervention in terms of the policy makers being pressured to make a decision urgently. However, thousands of citizens of the United States die on a yearly basis from this contagious disease (CDC, 2014). This makes it a serious public health issue. Hepatitis C is basically a liver disease that is contagious in nature and could be fatal if left untreated. According to the CDC website over 3 million Americans are infected with the disease (HCV), and â€Å"approximately 75%–85% of people who become infected with Hepatitis C virus develop chronic infection†. Hepatitis C is most commonly transmitted in the United States through IV drug use (CDC, 2014). Other modes of transmission includes blood transfusion or coming in contact with someone’s blood, accidental needlestick injuries among health care workers (e.g., nurses and phlebotomists), sexual contact (rare) and infants born to mothers who hav e the disease. These above medical and demographic facts make HCV a serious threat on public health. Overview of drug Sovaldi also known as Sofosbuvir is one of the latest anti- HCV drug in the market (Ollove, 2014). The drug has already been approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) having gone through years of clinical trials. The drug’s claim to fame other than its high cost ($84,000 for 12 weeks of treatment or $1000 for one pill) is that it boasts of shorter treatment duration of about 3 monthsShow MoreRelatedTaco Bell Case Study1448 Words   |  6 PagesCOMMUNICATION STRATEGY (C/S) WORKSHEET PURPOSE: General: Identify and address key issues behind recent outbreak and food safety image while maintaining customer loyalty and consumer behavior. Action: Investigate, test, and report all possible sources of E. Coli and Hepatitis A (including all midpoints between farm and restaurant), evaluate store sanitation procedures and inventory logistics, report findings and recommendations as required by regulatory agencies. Communicate: Once sourcesRead MoreA Safe Injection Site Is Essential For Esquimalt And Victoria1718 Words   |  7 Pagesneed for an injection site is essential for Esquimalt and Victoria. In this paper, I will address, the need for a harm reduction program in the community, as well as look at the statistical evidence of Victoria and British Columbia’s illegal drug crisis. Finally, I will discuss the proposed intervention of a safe injection site in the area. Through an assessment of Esquimalt and collecting research from online sources, I determined that this community would benefit from a safe injection site. DrugsRead MoreBenefits Of Using Needle Exchange Programs1529 Words   |  7 Pages Are drug users people too? The health and safety of all people is crucial. 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(1) It is estimated that about 0.2 to 26% of the general population in different countries are chronically infected by HCV. (2)(3) The hepatitis C virus is an enveloped RNA virus. Given itsRead MoreHeroin : A Dirty Back Alley Drug1967 Words   |  8 PagesBrittney Gronvold English 102 Schwartz 8 December 2015 Heroin in the Suburbs Heroin was once considered a dirty back alley drug, far from leafy suburban streets. Now a epidemic is arising, making heroin usage a health crisis amongst our youth. Heroin has spread from the slums to the suburbs because of the significantly increased use of prescription painkillers. Heroin is cheaper in comparison to medically prescribed opiates like OxyContin and Vicodin. Heroin is an epidemic spreading into suburbanRead MoreHeroin And Its Effects On The United States895 Words   |  4 Pagesestimated 22 million Americans are dependent on or abusing drugs or alcohol, at huge costs to society. Deaths from overdoses due to heroin and other opioids, including the prescription painkillers. U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder has called a â€Å"public health crisis.† (par #1) But some scientist and clinics are calling it a genetic problem or an addiction. All heroin users—not just those who injected the drug—risk becoming addicted. Individuals who abuse heroin over time develop a tolerance for the drugRead MoreThe Epidemic Of Sub Saharan Africa855 Words   |  4 Pagesliving with HIV in the world, 19 million do not know their HIV-positive status. Adolescent girls and young women account for one in four new HIV infections in sub-Saharan Africa. Women are much more vulnerable to HIV, tuberculosis and hepatitis B and C than the general public. Which is supported by this excerpt from a recent AIDSTAR-One regional report â€Å"Women and girls often face discrimination in terms of access to education, employment and healthcare. In this region, men often dominate sexual relationships