Abstract IA045: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) screening and treatment in South Texas US-Mexico border persistent poverty counties

Abstract

Abstract Background: Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) is a major risk factor for Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), early screening of HCV is essential for the prevention of HCC. Other risk factors for cancer are those associated with poverty including low socioeconomic status and lack of access to health care. These risk factors are prominent among hispanic populations who have higher rates of liver cancer. In 2021, Hispanic liver cancer (incidence and mortality) was almost doubled as compared to non-Hispanic whtes. In Texas, the incidence of liver cancer is higher for Hispanics and particularly for those living in South Texas. Methods: We implemented an multi-component intervention (STOP-HCC-HCV) to increase access to HCV screening and treatment in two clinic systems predominantly serving low-income Hispanic ommunities in three South Texas persistent poverty counties. We used a Hybrid type 1 implementation effectiveness study design to evaluate the program's impact using both qualitative and quantitative data. Results: Using the RE-AIM framework, we increased HCV screening rates from 10% in 2021, to 78% in 2023 among adults 18-56 years of age. We successfully naviagted uninsured patients to treatment and cure and have 100% success rate for ordering Direct Acting Antivirals. Conclusion: Using a multi-component intervention, and decreasing barriers to healthcare increased HCV screening and treatment to ultimetly decrease cancer health disparities among vulnerable populations living in persistent poverty counties. Citation Format: Bertha E. Flores, Juan Guerrero, Raudel Bobadilla, Catherine K. Craven. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) screening and treatment in South Texas US-Mexico border persistent poverty counties [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 16th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2023 Sep 29-Oct 2;Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2023;32(12 Suppl):Abstract nr IA045.