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The BC Centre for Disease Control presented a new study on hepatitis C Monday
– photo 250News
The BC Centre for Disease Control’s new report on Hepatitis C was compiled from data on more than 1 million people collected between 1992 and 2012.
About 73,000 British Columbians have Hepatitis C and 18,000 have yet to be diagnosed.
Somewhat surprisingly, the report found “no differences” between Hepatitis C care in rural and remote communities in the province. According to the report, diagnosis and testing levels are nearly identical, while treatment and cure rates are only slightly lower in rural areas (defined as communities with 20,00 residents or fewer).
“Definitely it was a little bit surprising but I think we always have to take into account that there’s always less testing into the rural and remote communities,” says Vanessa West, executive director of Positive Living North. “We have to break down that stigma, discrimination and that mindset that this is specialized testing.”
West says the finding is encouraging but there are more questions to be answered.
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