WOONSOCKET, R.I., May 2, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- CVS Health
(NYSE:CVS) has launched expanded health care offerings to support
the health and well-being of people with Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C
and other liver diseases in Hawaii. The effort is part of a statewide
initiative to raise awareness about the prevalence of Hepatitis A,
B and C in the state and to encourage the prevention, diagnosis and
treatment of viral hepatitis.
Viral hepatitis, a collection of viruses that attack the liver,
may lead to liver disease and liver cancer. Hawaii has the nation's highest rate of liver
cancer, so testing and vaccinations have become increasingly
important for people living on the islands. In response, CVS
Health, through its Longs Drugs and MinuteClinic locations in
Hawaii, has launched new services
to help raise awareness of the virus, particularly for Baby Boomers
(people born from 1945-1965) who may be at risk for the virus.
"It's critical that people who may have been exposed to
hepatitis be screened for the virus," said Andrew Sussman, M.D., President of MinuteClinic
and Associate Chief Medical Officer of CVS Health. "The longer
people live with the virus, the more likely they are to develop
serious, life-threatening conditions such as liver disease."
Added Sussman, "A simple screening will not only help them learn
if they are infected, but can also help them get referred to
life-saving care and treatment. We're happy to be able to provide
this important screening to people living in Hawaii, which will help them on their path to
better health."
MinuteClinic locations in Hawaii recently began offering Hepatitis C
screenings to people who may have been exposed to the hepatitis
virus. The virus is spread through direct blood-to-blood contact
with someone who has Hepatitis C. The most common way to get
Hepatitis C is through injected drug use, getting a blood
transfusion prior to 1992, or being exposed to blood in some other
way. While there is no vaccine available to prevent Hepatitis C,
treatments are available to manage and even cure Hepatitis C for
some patients. The cost of a Hepatitis C screening consultation at
Minute Clinic ranges from $59-$69,
plus $39 for the Hepatitis C blood
test.
Hepatitis C screenings are available at all of Hawaii's MinuteClinic locations,
including:
- Longs Aiea #9813, 98 1005
Moanalua Road, Aiea
- Longs Hawaii Kai #9185, 377 Keahole Street, Honolulu
- Longs South King #9954, 2470 South King Street, Honolulu
- Longs Waialae Avenue #9220, 4211 Waialae Avenue, Honolulu
- Longs Waikiki #10621, 2155
Kalakaua Avenue, Honolulu
- Longs Kailua #9825, 609 Kailua
Road, Kailua
- Longs Kaneohe #9953, 45 480
Kaneohe Bay Drive, Kaneohe
- Longs Kapolei #9317, 590
Farrington Highway, Kapolei
- Longs Wahiawa #9300, 925
California Avenue, Wahiawa
In addition, Longs Drugs pharmacists are helping to raise
awareness of both Hepatitis C and Hepatitis B. Hepatitis B is
caused by the Hepatitis B virus (HBV). It is usually an acute,
short-term disease for those infected as adults, but it can become
a chronic disease for those infected as children. Hepatitis B is
spread through contact with blood and other bodily fluids. The most
common way to get Hepatitis B is from mother to baby, especially
for those born in counties in Asia
and the Pacific Islands. Asians, Native Hawaiians, and other
Pacific Islanders tend to be infected at a much higher rate.
While there is no cure for Hepatitis B, there are treatments
available to manage the disease. In addition, there
is a vaccine available to prevent infection.
In April, Longs Drugs pharmacists began inviting patients to
complete a "Prevent Liver Cancer – Get Checked for Hepatitis"
assessment form at the pharmacy counter. When forms are completed,
the pharmacist reviews the assessment and provides a recommendation
as to whether a patient should be tested for Hepatitis B or
Hepatitis C. The pharmacist also provides the patient with a list
of nearby testing facilities, including physician's offices, free
testing facilities or MinuteClinic, for those patients at risk for
Hepatitis C.
If a patient is eligible for the Hepatitis B vaccination series,
a Longs Drugs immunizing pharmacist can administer the required
doses right in the pharmacy. The cost of the Hepatitis B vaccine is
typically covered by health insurance plans, although patients are
encouraged to check with their health insurer.
Patients can take the "Prevent Liver Cancer – Get Checked for
Hepatitis" assessment at all of Hawaii's more than 60 Longs Drugs locations,
and receive the Hepatitis B vaccine series if needed. Hepatitis A
and Hepatitis B vaccines are also available at MinuteClinic
locations.
About CVS Health
CVS Health is a pharmacy innovation
company helping people on their path to better health. Through its
approximately 9,600 retail pharmacies, more than 1,100 walk-in
medical clinics, a leading pharmacy benefits manager with more than
75 million plan members, a dedicated senior pharmacy care business
serving more than one million patients per year, and expanding
specialty pharmacy services, the Company enables people, businesses
and communities to manage health in more affordable and effective
ways. This unique integrated model increases access to quality
care, delivers better health outcomes and lowers overall health
care costs. Find more information about how CVS Health is shaping
the future of health at https://www.cvshealth.com.
Contacts
CVS Health
Amy Lanctot, (401) 770-2931
Amy.Lanctot@CVSHealth.com
TBC (for MinuteClinic)
Brent Burkhardt, (410) 986-1303
BBurkhardt@tbc.us
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SOURCE CVS Health