VA gets the word out for Hepatitis Awareness Month

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May is Hepatitis Awareness Month and VA is getting the word out about hepatitis C testing and treatment. Hepatitis C is a disease that affects the liver. Veterans are at higher risk for hepatitis C and testing is recommended for Vietnam Era Veterans and those born between 1945 and 1965 (full list of risk factors). VA is working hard to get Veterans treated with new medications that are able to cure most people.

Facilities across the VA are implementing innovative strategies to increase testing and treatment. A few of those facilities, Kansas City, Asheville, and Salisbury, shared their accomplishments so far and their plans for Hepatitis Awareness Month with us.

Shannon McFarland is the hepatitis C coordinator for the Kansas City VA Medical Center (pictured above from L-R: Evan Gahan, Pharm D, Sarah Eiker- GI Coordinator, Thelma Agustin- GI Coordinator, Shannon McFarland- Hepatitis C Coordinator, Prashant Pandya- Hepatologist, CC Li – Pharm D). She shared their new take on sending out letters to encourage Veterans to be tested for hepatitis C.

“Letter campaigns are nothing new but we wanted to do a fresh take on it so we send out color-printed letters instead of the black and white form letter,” explains Ms. McFarland.

For added convenience, Veterans can take the letter directly to the lab to be tested without having to go to an appointment first. After Veterans get their testing done, they can enter a raffle that is done monthly for a Walmart gift card. Ms. McFarland also calls patients

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