Identification to Elimination in HCV-Infected Individuals

Approximately 3.5 - 5 million Americans are living with hepatitis C virus (HCV) in the United States. HCV significantly impacts rural Pennsylvania. It is estimated that 160,000 adults in Pennsylvania are living with hepatitis C. In 2010, Center for Rural Pennsylvania estimated that 27% of population of PA live in one of Pennsylvania's 48 rural counties. Under this estimate, there are over 43,000 individuals affected with chronic HCV living in rural Pennsylvania. Rural county residents often experience barriers to health care by having fewer primary care providers and limited specialty care physicians available to them to address their healthcare needs. RQ1: Will the community based delivery system for Hepatitis C screenings see an increase in positivity rates? HO1: There is no relationship between the community based delivery system with an increase in the Hepatitis C screening positivity rates. HA1: There is a relationship between the community based delivery system with an increase in the Hepatitis C screening positivity rates.