Hepatitis C Treatment Showing Remarkable Success as HICHC’s Cure Rates Twice the National Average

Hawaii Island (June 14, 2024) -– Download Press Release (PDF)

Hawaii Island Community Health Center is thrilled to announce a significant success in the treatment of Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. The latest treatment results have demonstrated unparalleled success rates, marking a pivotal moment in the fight against this debilitating disease on Hawai’i Island.

These incredible results in treatment were achieved following an 8-to-12 week course of medicine and showcased an astonishing cure rate of 71% among patients treated with the innovative therapeutic approach.

Hawaii Island Cure Rates are 70% • National Cure Rates are 33%

Hawaii Island Community Health Center with its mind-blowing 70+% cure rate more than doubles the national rates that hover in the 33% range. These results represent a substantial improvement over the current standards of care nationally.

“I’ve spent my career putting Band-Aids on diseases. Hep C is a condition we can cure completely and that’s not something we get to do too often in our profession,” said HICHC Director of Pharmacy Services Dr. Melissa Bumgardner. “For our team, to cure a disease that takes 20 years off patients lives, is one of the most rewarding things I have done. It feels like we are giving our patients longer lives through this treatment.”

Comprehensive and an Integrated Model of Care

Dr. Bumgardner and her staff operate as a part of the “Comprehensive and an Integrated Model of Care”, collaborating closely with a care team including medical, behavioral health, and pharmacy teams. For Hepatitis C patients, this model is particularly effective because it means that patients have a full team supporting them to meet their health goals. The whole team approach assists in identifying patients who could benefit, sharing the treatment process and answering their questions, and then securing the medication, and delivering it to the patients by every means possible, including driving it to their homes if needed.

What is Hepatitis C?

Hepatitis C is a virus that causes inflammation and damage to the liver, which can lead to death. Hep C is a leading cause of liver cancer. Although Hep C might be as common in Hawaii as it is in other US states, liver cancer as a result of Hep C is more common in Hawaii. Patients with untreated Hep C have a life expectancy that is 20 years lower than those who do not have hepatitis. To prevent liver cancer and severe illness, Dr. Bumgardner and others in Hawaii are working together to find, treat and cure Hep C. Treatments are available for Hep C, however there is no vaccination to prevent infection.

Sharing injection drug equipment is the leading cause of new Hep C infections. Often patients seen for Hep C treatment are also diagnosed with some form of substance use disorder.

Innovative Approaches

In addition, Hawaii includes communites that are disparately impacted by viral hepatitis, including Native Hawaiian, Asians and Pacific Islanders that make the treatment to cure Hep C in Hawaii even more imperative.

HICDC’s innovation in its treatment cure for Hep C lies with the fact that Hawaii is an island with limited resources. It’s what makes the program unique. What’s different from other pharmacies in Hawaii is the pharmacy team at Hawaii Island Community Health Center acts independently to implement the treatment program.

The pharmacy team actively looks for markers, either through data mining or monthly reporting looking for reactive antibody test results. Then the team finds the patients who fit the markers and comes up with a treatment plan to present to the medical provider, who reviews the plan and give prescriptive authorization under a collaborative practice agreement, which is permitted in Hawaii.

“Our findings offer renewed hope for those afflicted and reinforce our commitment to advancing medical science for the betterment of all Hawaii Island residents,” said Hawai’i Island Community Health Center CEO Richard Taaffe. In addition to its clinical implications, our breakthrough holds promise for reducing healthcare costs and improving quality of life for patients. By offering a viable path to cure, we aim to alleviate the burden of chronic illness and empower individuals to lead fulfilling lives.”

Hawai’i Island Community Health Center encourages testing, vaccination and education to help improve understanding of viral hepatitis transmission and risk factors.

Visit www.HICommunityHealthCenter.org for more information.

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About Hawai’i Island Community Health Center

Hawai’i Island Community Health Center’s mission is to provide quality, comprehensive, and integrated health care services accessible to all, regardless of their ability to pay.

Hawai’i Island Community Health Center is the largest Federally Qualified Health Center in the State of Hawaii, employing approximately 400 health care professionals and support staff, serving 40,000 residents in 14 locations island-wide and has an operating budget of $40+ million.

HICHC Contact:

Emily Crabill, Marketing & Development Manager
ERCrabill@HICommunityHealthCenter.org
808-494-5337