CVS Health expands Hepatitis care offerings in Hawaii

WOONSOCKET, R.I. -- CVS Health has launched expanded health care services to support the health and well-being of people with Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and other liver diseases in Hawaii.

The effort is part of a statewide initiative to raise awareness about the prevalence of Hepatitis A, B and C in the state and to encourage the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of viral hepatitis.

"It's critical that people who may have been exposed to hepatitis be screened for the virus," said Andrew Sussman, M.D., president of MinuteClinic and associate chief medical officer of CVS Health. "The longer people live with the virus, the more likely they are to develop serious, life-threatening conditions such as liver disease."

Added Sussman, "A simple screening will not only help them learn if they are infected, but can also help them get referred to life-saving care and treatment. We're happy to be able to provide this important screening to people living in Hawaii, which will help them on their path to better health." 

MinuteClinic locations in Hawaii recently began offering Hepatitis C screenings to people who may have been exposed to the hepatitis virus. The virus is spread through direct blood-to-blood contact with someone who has Hepatitis C. The most common way to get Hepatitis C is through injected drug use, getting a blood transfusion prior to 1992, or being exposed to blood in some other way. While there is no vaccine available to prevent Hepatitis C, treatments are available to manage and even cure Hepatitis C for some patients. The cost of a Hepatitis C screening consultation at Minute Clinic ranges from $59-$69, plus $39 for the Hepatitis C blood test.

Viral hepatitis, a collection of viruses that attack the liver, may lead to liver disease and liver cancer. Hawaii has the nation's highest rate of liver cancer, so testing and vaccinations have become increasingly important for people living on the islands. In response, CVS Health, through its Longs Drugs and MinuteClinic locations in Hawaii, has launched new services to help raise awareness of the virus, particularly for Baby Boomers (people born from 1945-1965) who may be at risk for the virus.