US biotech major Gilead Sciences (Nasdaq: GILD) today announced HepConnect, a five-year, multi-million dollar initiative aimed at addressing the sharp increase in chronic hepatitis C (HCV) infections fueled by the nation’s opioid crisis.
In partnership with the Harm Reduction Coalition (HRC) and local organizations, the initiative will support evidence-based solutions to meet the needs of people most affected by the opioid crisis in Indiana, Kentucky, North Carolina, Tennessee and West Virginia.
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the increase in injection drug use has led to a more than tripling of new HCV infections in greater Appalachia. The CDC reports that in central Appalachia, HCV infections rose 364% between 2006 and 2012. Currently, 2.4 million people are living with HCV in the USA and an estimated 50% of those infected aren’t aware they have the virus.
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