May is Hepatitis Awareness Month!

May is Hepatitis Awareness Month!

The hepatitis C virus (HCV) continues to pose a significant public health risk, affecting millions worldwide with at least 59,000 infected in Washington State. The urgency to test, treat, and cure Washingtonians of the deadliest blood borne disease in the country remains a top priority for the Health Care Authority (HCA) and partners. A directive signed by Governor Inslee in 2018 set the goal of eliminating hepatitis C in the state by 2030. The directive instructed HCA to “establish a comprehensive procurement strategy for the purchase of HCV medications.”

HCA recently reached a milestone towards eliminating hepatitis C by exceeding the treatment goal. HCA can now provide a life-saving drug at a negligible cost to the state for the rest of the fiscal year. Read the news release for more information. 

HCA launched a statewide public health awareness campaign with billboards, bus ads, bus shelters, convenience store window banners, and more on display throughout spring and early summer. Learn more about eliminating hepatitis C.