July 28, 2022 – OraSure Technologies announced that its ongoing commitment to fight the hepatitis C epidemic. July 28 is commemorated around the globe each year as World Hepatitis Day. Organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) use this day as an opportunity to educate people about hepatitis infections.
For the second year in a row, OraSure is proud to collaborate with the Will Rodgers Liver Health Foundation in his efforts to teach people about liver disease. Founded by NASCAR driver Will Rodgers, OraSure sponsors the foundation’s Race to End Hep C initiative, which gives individuals at select NASCAR events access to free Hepatitis C (HCV) testing, using the OraQuick® HCV Rapid Antibody Test that provides results in 20 minutes. During 2021’s Race to End Hep C efforts, 2.5 percent of the 351 people who were tested for HCV at racetracks nationwide had a positive result and were linked to care.
“Hepatitis C is a public health crisis in this country with increasing incidence nationwide. The true problems with combatting this terrible and burdensome disease are both access to care – given the disparities in our healthcare system – and awareness, with four in 10 individuals who have hepatitis C unaware of their infection status,” said Lisa Nibauer, President of Diagnostics for OraSure Technologies. “Our partnership with the Will Rodgers Liver Health Foundation highlights the ability of simple-to-administer, low-cost tests to drive disease awareness and point people to appropriate care. This is a treatable disease, and early diagnosis can dramatically improve patient outcomes and lower costs for our healthcare system.”
HCV is a viral infection that causes inflammation of the liver and can lead to liver cirrhosis, liver cancer, and liver failure. According to the CDC, about 2.4 million adults in the U.S. are living with HCV and about 40 percent do not know they have it. CDC recommends that everyone ages 18 and older get tested for HCV at least once in their lifetime.