Publications by authors named "Eric Rude"
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) screening among individuals born between 1945 and 1965 (ie birth cohort) may augment risk factor-based screening. We assessed HCV seropositivity among injection drug users (IDUs) and birth cohort members from New York City. We assessed HCV risk factors and seropositivity in 7722 participants from community health, HIV prevention, syringe exchange and drug treatment programmes.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- The study aimed to measure the rates of undiagnosed HIV and HCV in a New York City emergency department using leftover serum samples originally collected for other clinical purposes.
- The results showed an HIV prevalence of 5.0% with a very low undiagnosed rate of 0.2%, while HCV had a prevalence of 3.9% and a higher undiagnosed rate of 0.8%.
- The findings highlight that undiagnosed HCV is more common than undiagnosed HIV, indicating the need for enhanced testing initiatives for HCV similar to those for HIV.
Check Hep C: A Community-Based Approach to Hepatitis C Diagnosis and Linkage to Care in High-Risk Populations.
J Public Health Manag Pract
September 2018
Context: In New York City (NYC), an estimated 146 500 people, or 2.4% of the adult population, have chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and half may be unaware of their infection. Despite a 2014 state law requiring health care providers to screen for HCV infection in primary care settings, many high-risk HCV-positive persons are not, and a large proportion of those screened do not receive RNA testing to confirm infection, or antiviral therapies.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe NYC Department of Health implemented a patient navigation program, Check Hep C, to address patient and provider barriers to HCV care and potentially lifesaving treatment. Services were delivered at two clinical care sites and two sites that linked patients to off-site care. Working with a multidisciplinary care team, patient navigators provided risk assessment, health education, treatment readiness and medication adherence counseling, and medication coordination.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: New, highly effective hepatitis C virus (HCV) medications recently changed the landscape of HCV treatment. Access to treatment, however, is limited. The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene conducted an enhanced surveillance project to better understand the reasons patients are not treated for HCV.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjectives: Between April and September of 2009 we evaluated the accuracy of the OraQuick HCV rapid antibody test and assessed its feasibility for use by community-based organizations (CBOs) serving populations at high risk for HCV in New York City.
Methods: We compared the results of screening by OraQuick (oral swab) and enzyme immunoassay (EIA; blood draw). We performed ribonucleic acid polymerase chain reaction testing for discordant results.