Hepatitis C Treatment Access Lags for Moms, Kids
Vulnerable populations face significant disparities despite available cures.
Despite highly effective treatments, access to hepatitis C care remains unequal for children and pregnant women, especially those with opioid use disorders. New research highlights the urgent need to address these gaps.
Disparities in Pediatric Care
A recent study in *Pediatrics* revealed only one in eight children with hepatitis C received treatment, according to research led by Megan Curtis at Washington University School of Medicine. The study, using anonymized data, showed that treatment rates varied based on race, age, and location.
Hispanic and White children were significantly more likely to receive care compared to Black children. Moreover, children in the South were least likely to be treated. These disparities highlight socioeconomic barriers and regional differences in healthcare access.
According to the CDC, in 2022, only 65% of people with diagnosed Hepatitis C received treatment, showcasing how 35% are missing out from getting the right treatment (CDC).
Pregnancy as a Barrier
A second study, published in *Obstetrics & Gynecology Open*, found that recently pregnant women with hepatitis C were less likely to receive treatment compared to men or non-pregnant women. Researchers, including Kevin Xu, analyzed data from patients in treatment for opioid use disorder who also had hepatitis C.
Recent pregnancy was strongly associated with a lower likelihood of receiving antiviral treatment. Specifically, recently pregnant patients were almost 30% less likely to receive treatment than men and about 11% less likely than women who were not recently pregnant.
People with hepatitis C are often asymptomatic for years after being exposed, so if you are young, otherwise healthy and have a new baby, getting prompt treatment may not be a top priority, especially if it is challenging to access. It’s imperative to make hepatitis C care more readily accessible to new moms considering the long-term consequences of the condition.—Caroline Cary, third-year medical student at WashU Medicine
Effective Treatments Exist
Direct-acting antiviral therapies can safely and effectively treat hepatitis C in both adults and children. However, Curtis notes that challenges remain in getting these treatments to those who need them most.
We have treatments for hepatitis C where it’s just two or three months of pills and then over 95% of people are cured,
said Curtis. But we are still having difficulties in getting the treatments to the populations that need them the most. These kinds of studies can help us identify where those barriers are.
Increased awareness and improved access are essential to eliminate hepatitis C, according to researchers. By addressing the identified barriers, healthcare providers can significantly reduce the long-term adverse health outcomes associated with untreated hepatitis C.
