Closing the Loop Between Hepatitis C Testing and Care for Baby Boomers

San Francisco, CA, August 24, 2012 --(PR.com)-- The Support Partnership (TSP) is proud to announce a new collaboration with HealthPro, as the two nationally recognized leaders in community health launch a new project to help baby boomers born 1945–1965 learn their hepatitis C status and if infected, connect them to care.

The national project — Helping Expand Access to Lab Testing for Hepatitis C, or Health-C — offers people in 45 states a unique service of affordable and discreet hepatitis C testing and care referrals along with client-centered pre- and post-test health education and counseling. Health-C will provide individuals who need low-cost blood work with access to a range of routine testing for hepatitis C, including antibody tests, viral load tests and other diagnostics.

“The need for this type of service is past due,” states Andrew Reynolds, a TSP partner and counselor. “As the Centers for Disease Control recently issued new Guidelines for one-time hep C testing for all baby boomers, people with inadequate or no insurance may face a difficult time paying for these routine tests. Many also fear the documentation of these tests in their medical records. Health-C affords people a low-cost and private alternative for knowing more about their liver health.”

Without this routine testing, 1 in 30 baby boomers could face serious liver disease and cancer as a result of their chronic hepatitis C, which is now the fastest-rising cause of cancer-related deaths in the U.S. Just one test of all the members of this generation may identify 800,000 people who have been infected with the virus, preventing liver cancer and perhaps saving 120,000 lives.

Reynolds continues, “To access Health-C, individuals will need to call HELP-4-HEP at 877-435-7443. Our counselors can answer questions about testing and transfer those who wish to engage with the confidential service. HELP-4-HEP can also assist individuals who want to discuss their test results.”

Earlier in 2012, TSP launched 877-HELP-4-HEP (877-435-7443) as a consumer-run helpline staffed by specially trained peer counselors providing support, health information, and care linkage. This toll-free helpline is a partnership among several well-known and nationally recognized nonprofits with a combined 90+ years’ experience in hepatitis C education, support and patient advocacy.

The collaborating organizations for Health-C include TSP, HealthPro and PersonaLabs. TSP partner organizations include HealthPro (FL), Hep C Connection (CO), Hepatitis C Association (NJ), Hepatitis Education Project (WA) and Project Inform (CA).

Call toll-free 877-HELP-4-HEP (877-435-7443) for testing information and other support and referrals Monday through Friday, 9am to 7pm EST, or visit www.help4hep.org. To learn more about the HEALTH-C project, go to www.healthpro.us.