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Home > Global Health - Audio > HCV Screening Program in Alabama Reveals Growing Epidemic Among Young Persons Who Inject Drugs


	Podcast:		Global Health - Audio
	Episode:		HCV Screening Program in Alabama Reveals Growing Epidemic Among Young Persons Who Inject Drugs
	Category:		Science & Medicine
	Duration:
	Publish Date:		2017-10-23 09:30:00
	Description:		Dr. James W. Galbraith joined the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Emergency Medicine faculty in 2008. In 2011, Dr. Galbraith led the implementation of emergency department (ED) non-targeted, opt-out HIV screening. In the first five years, this HIV screening program has screened over 100,000 individuals and identified over 500 HIV infections, including a significant number of acute HIV infections. Leveraging the infrastructure developed for systematic HIV screening, Dr. Galbraith initiated targeted hepatitis C virus (HCV) screening and linkage to care in the UAB-ED in 2013. We asked him to discuss the findings and implications of his HCV screening program, which include identifying over 3500 previously unrecognized HCV infections with an 11.5 % infection prevalence among previously unaware “baby boomers” and 14% infection prevalence among white individuals born after 1965. This ED-based HCV testing program has prioritized raising HCV awareness and access to cure for a growing epidemic of HCV infection among young persons who inject drugs (PWID). Dr. Galbraith is currently collaborating with state and national stakeholders for the opioid and HCV/HIV syndemic to implement local harm-reduction interventions – including syringe service programs – aimed at averting an outbreak of HIV infection among PWID. Hosted by Steve Morrison. Produced by Cathryn Streifel. Edited by Ribka Gemilangsari.
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