A recent study led by researchers from Boston University School of Public Health has uncovered significant racial disparities in hepatitis C virus (HCV) testing among reproductive-aged women with opioid use disorder. The findings, published in Clinical Infectious Diseases, reveal that Asian and Black individuals are 25 percent less likely to be tested for hepatitis C compared to their White counterparts.
The study highlights a concerning gap in healthcare access and equity. While American Indian/Alaska Native women were found to be tested more frequently than other racial or ethnic groups, the overall picture remains troubling. Perhaps most alarmingly, fewer than ten percent of women with opioid use disorder who tested positive for HCV received treatment for the virus.
Breanne Biondi, the study’s lead author, emphasizes the critical nature of these findings: “If we aren’t testing people, we can’t connect them to care and that can lead to significant complications, including transmitting the virus.” Untreated hepatitis C can result in severe health issues, including chronic liver disease, liver failure, and liver cancer.
The research underscores the importance of early detection and treatment, particularly for reproductive-aged women. Dr. Rachel Epstein, senior author of the study, points out that effective screening and treatment for HCV in this population is crucial for breaking the cycle of transmission, potentially improving both maternal and infant health outcomes.
In response to these disparities, Boston Medical Center has initiated programs to integrate hepatitis C treatment into postpartum care and improve testing rates in exposed infants. These efforts aim to enhance treatment rates and ensure more equitable access to care across all racial and ethnic groups.
As the medical community grapples with these findings, the study serves as a call to action for healthcare providers to address racial biases and improve access to hepatitis C testing and treatment for all patients.
See “Disparities in Hepatitis C Testing Put Black, Asian Patients at Risk” (October 18, 2024)
