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. 2022 Dec 1;44(4):891-899.
doi: 10.1093/pubmed/fdab190.

HepCCATT: a multilevel intervention for hepatitis C among vulnerable populations in Chicago

Sandra Tilmon  1 , A Aronsohn  2 , B Boodram  3 , L Canary  4 , S Goel  5 , T Hamlish  6 , S Kemble  7 , D S Lauderdale  8 , J Layden  9 , K Lee  1 , A J Millman  4 , N Nelson  4 , K Ritger  10 , I Rodriguez  1 , N Shurupova  11 , J Wolf  12 , D Johnson  1
Affiliations

HepCCATT: a multilevel intervention for hepatitis C among vulnerable populations in Chicago

Sandra Tilmon et al. J Public Health (Oxf). .

Abstract

Background: Hepatitis C infection could be eliminated. Underdiagnosis and lack of treatment are the barriers to cure, especially for vulnerable populations (i.e. unable to pay for health care).

Methods: A multilevel intervention from September 2014 to September 2019 focused on the providers and organizations in 'the safety net' (providing health care to populations unable to pay), including: (i) public education, (ii) training for primary care providers (PCPs) and case managers, (iii) case management for high-risk populations, (iv) policy advice and (v) a registry (Registry) for 13 health centers contributing data. The project tracked the number of PCPs trained and, among Registry sites, the number of people screened, engaged in care (i.e. clinical follow-up after diagnosis), treated and/or cured.

Results: In Chicago, 215 prescribing PCPs and 56 other health professionals, 86% of whom work in the safety net, were trained to manage hepatitis C. Among Registry sites, there was a 137% increase in antibody screening and a 32% increase in current hepatitis C diagnoses. Engagement in care rose by 18%.

Conclusions: Hepatitis C Community Alliance to Test and Treat (HepCCATT) successfully targeted safety net providers and organizations with a comprehensive care approach. While there were challenges, HepCCATT observed increased hepatitis C screening, diagnosis and engagement in care in the Chicago community.

Keywords: disease registries; health services; liver disorders.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
HepCCATT multilevel intervention and the hepatitis C care cascade.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Hepatitis C cascade, PYs 1–5.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Number of RNA+ individuals by PY. Note: Darker polygon colors represent more cases, and circles represent cumulative participants, size proportionate to persons trained. Left: baseline. Center: by PY1–4. Right: cumulative for both participants (categorized by health center type by color) and HCV diagnoses (by zip code). Red circles indicate safety net health centers, while green circles represent health organizations serving patients at increased HCV risk. White circles are all other organizations.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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