Hep C Alliance, Inc.

Description

Bruce Burkett, Executive Director, Founded Missouri Hepatitis C Alliance (MoHepC) in 1999. Originally an all volunteer organization, MoHepC collaborates with 12 treatment centers to expedite testing and access to medical care for persons affected. In 2014 we changed the name to HepC Alliance to reflect the national approach we offer.

Chronic hepatitis C infection has become a critical, unrecognized health care problem, we have found that among people with risk factors, a positive rate as high as 19% within the State of Missouri population.

National statistics indicate the average age of a person with HCV is 45-65 years old, however the average we found in Missouri is 32. This program is designed to reach those individuals who are not aware they are at risk for HCV.

So far individuals who are tested have been through word-of-mouth and follow up. HepC Alliance hopes to increase awareness of testing through a media program, the use of a billboard and Public Service Announcements on local and cable television.

HepC Alliance partners on both state and national level with agencies such as the Missouri State Department of Health, 68 MO County Health Departments, Phoenix Programs, Preferred Family Healthcare, Rain of Central Missouri, the American Liver Foundation, the National Center for Disease Control, the National Viral Hepatitis Round table, the National Hepatitis C Advisory Board, and the Hepatitis C Appropriations Partnerships. Bruce served as the past President of the National Hepatitis C Advocacy Council, and is also a member of both the National Viral Hepatitis Roundtable, the Hepatitis C Appropriations Partnerships,and the Hepatitis C Fair Pricing Coalition

HepC Alliance (formerly MoHepC) was founded in 1999 as a non-profit organization, 501 c(3), providing support and education to the Mid-Missouri public. From 1999 until April 2005, HepC Alliance was an all- volunteer organization. HepC Alliance started with one support group, which grew to five groups over several years. In addition to the support groups, a nationwide toll free hotline was started, offering education and support. In 2004 HepC Alliance collaborated with Rain of Central Missouri (RAIN)) to apply for a grant from the Missouri Foundation for Health. The program was titled "HIV/HCV Early Intervention Program." Rain was the fiscal agent and HepC Alliance carried out the programs for education and support. In July 2007, HepC Alliance became a contract agent for RAIN, taking over the prevention program. RAIN continued to provide the case management and medical care aspects of the program.

Testing for hepatitis C continued to provide successful results in finding new cases of hepatitis C. In 2005 MoHepC tested 351 people and found 107 new positives. In 2006, 986 people were tested finding 215 HCV positives. In 2007, 1335 people were tested and found 326 people were positive for hepatitis C virus. This revealed a positive rate of 24%. Out of the total 648 people who tested positive MoHepC/RAIN were able to provide treatment assistance for 188 uninsured patients. In 2013 we have tested 2,900 people finding 450 positive for the hepatitis C Virus.

In addition to the testing program, HepC Alliance provided education to 68 County Health Department’s staff annually. HepC Alliance provided education to over 4500 people in small group presentations. In collaboration with the Missouri State Department of Health, 68 county Health Departments, Phoenix Programs, Preferred Family Healthcare, Rain of Central Missouri, American Liver Foundation, locally, and nationally the Center for Disease Control, National Viral Hepatitis Roundtable, National Hepatitis C Advocacy Council, and the Hepatitis C Appropriations Partnerships. Bruce Burkett, founder and Executive Director serves as the President of the National Hepatitis C Advocacy Council, as a board member of the National Viral Hepatitis Roundtable, and the Hepatitis C Appropriations Partnerships.