Less Than a Quarter of U.S. Adults Say They’ve Been Tested for Hepatitis C Despite CDC Recommendations for Universal Testing
29 July 2020 - 4:11AM
Business Wire
On World Hepatitis Day, Lincoln Financial joins
the American Liver Foundation and the global community to raise
awareness of the importance of hepatitis C testing for all adults
and treatment advancements.
Lincoln Financial Group (NYSE: LNC) joins the American Liver
Foundation (ALF) to raise awareness for the millions of Americans
infected with the hepatitis C virus (HCV), as the rate of new HCV
infections was four times as high in 2018 as it was in 2009.1 In a
recent Lincoln survey, more than 80% of U.S adults say they know
what HCV is, yet only 35% are aware it’s curable, indicating
confusion as cases of the disease continue to rise.2
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC), approximately 2.4 million people in the United States are
living with chronic hepatitis C,1 however, it’s estimated that 4 in
10 people don’t know they’re infected.3 With the increase in new
cases, and so many unknown cases, earlier this year the CDC updated
its testing recommendations, calling for one-time screening for all
adults 18 years and older (with routine periodic testing for those
with ongoing risk factors), and screening of all pregnant women
during every pregnancy. Despite these recommendations, only 24% of
Lincoln survey respondents said they’ve been tested for HCV.2
“As the world grapples with the COVID-19 pandemic, the
importance of testing is as clear as ever when it comes to
combating infectious diseases,” said Dr. John Greene, Vice
President and Chief Medical Director for Lincoln’s individual Life
Insurance business. “The same is true when it comes to HCV, the
‘silent epidemic’ for which there’s a cure. As a member of ALF’s
Corporate Council, Lincoln stands with ALF and the global community
to advocate for HCV awareness, prevention, testing and treatment,
to help eliminate this disease.”
Nearly 70% of those surveyed by Lincoln said they aren’t
concerned about themselves or a family member getting sick from
HCV.2 In fact, just 26% said they’ve talked about liver health with
their health care provider.2 If left untreated, chronic hepatitis C
can lead to liver damage, cirrhosis and liver cancer.
Unfortunately, the disease has few noticeable symptoms, which often
don’t appear for years or decades.
Thankfully, the treatment of HCV infections has evolved
significantly in recent years with the development of direct-acting
antiviral medications resulting in shorter treatment duration,
fewer side effects and cure rates of roughly 95%.
“In the midst of this unprecedented pandemic, it is easy for
people to overlook routine, but critical, health maintenance,” said
Lynn Gardiner Seim, EVP & Chief Operating Officer, American
Liver Foundation. “As we all continue to take steps to ensure our
health, it is imperative, now more than ever before, to adhere to
HCV testing guidelines so people who need treatment can receive it
before chronic hepatitis C results in significant liver health
issues.”
Getting treated can provide a second lease on life for those
with HCV. Treatment can improve liver and physical health, mental
and emotional health, and overall wellness, enabling the pursuit of
a healthy lifestyle that HCV may have stood in the way of
before.
Treatment can even help overcome financial planning challenges
that HCV may have presented in the past, such as obtaining
affordable life insurance. Of those surveyed by Lincoln, just 42%
said they thought individuals with HCV can get life insurance
coverage.2 Lincoln has incorporated the newest clinical information
about HCV medical advancements in its underwriting approach to
offer more favorable underwriting ratings for most individuals with
hepatitis C who have been successfully treated, resulting in lower
costs for life insurance coverage. Lincoln has also expanded
coverage eligibility for some untreated individuals.
Hep C Resources and Information
To learn more about hepatitis C diagnosis, treatment and
support, visit HepC123.org
To see the full hepatitis C survey conducted by Lincoln, click
here.
About Lincoln Financial Group
Lincoln Financial Group provides advice and solutions that help
empower people to take charge of their financial lives with
confidence and optimism. Today, more than 17 million customers
trust our retirement, insurance and wealth protection expertise to
help address their lifestyle, savings and income goals, as well as
to guard against long-term care expenses. Headquartered in Radnor,
Pennsylvania, Lincoln Financial Group is the marketing name for
Lincoln National Corporation (NYSE:LNC) and its affiliates. The
company had $247 billion in end-of-period account values as of
March 31, 2020. Lincoln Financial Group is a committed corporate
citizen included on major sustainability indices including the Dow
Jones Sustainability Index North America and FTSE4Good. Dedicated
to diversity and inclusion, Lincoln earned perfect 100 percent
scores on the Corporate Equality Index and the Disability Equality
Index. Lincoln has also been recognized in Newsweek’s Most
Responsible Companies and is among Forbes’ World’s Best Employers,
Best Large Employers, Best Employers for Diversity, Best Employers
for Women and ranked on the JUST 100 list. Learn more
at: www.LincolnFinancial.com. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter,
LinkedIn, and Instagram. Sign up for email alerts at
http://newsroom.lfg.com.
About American Liver Foundation
Founded in 1976, the American Liver Foundation is the nation’s
largest patient advocacy organization for people living with liver
disease. ALF reaches more than 3 million people each year with
health information, education and support services through
community-based programs, and an active online presence. ALF’s
hepatitis C educational programs focus on three key factors:
diagnosis, treatment and support. ALF has a National Helpline and a
physician locator. Find out more. Information is available at
www.liverfoundation.org or by calling 1-800-GO-LIVER
(1-800-465-4837).
Sources:
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Beyond baby boomers:
Hepatitis C now heavily impacting multiple generations, Press
Release, April 09, 2020
- Lincoln Financial & CivicScience Hepatitis C Awareness
Survey. Data gathered by CivicScience: 06/30/2020 – 07/07/2020
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Vital Signs, April
2020
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version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200728005895/en/
Media Contacts: Lincoln Financial Group: Jay Russo
860-466-1324 jay.russo@lfg.com
American Liver Foundation: Akeia Blue 202-591-4010
Alfmedia@jpa.com
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