Lack of access to travel, education contribute to gaps in care for hepatitis C among First Nations communities

At the end of the study period, 17% of those who were alive didn’t receive a follow-up test to determine whether they had an active infection and close to 60% who had a positive test didn’t begin treatment. Researchers say a lack of access to travel may be a contributor to the gaps in care they identified, as well as a lack of education and awareness and fear and stigma tied to the virus. The fact that some patients started treatment but never returned for a follow-up suggests they may have encountered racism and didn’t feel culturally safe in the healthcare system. A harm-reduction approach, which includes providing clean needles, is important, as is the need to continue work to spread the message that assistance is available for hepatitis C.