The Center for Disease Control's(CDC) Morbidity and Mortality Report published an article on a successful approach to identify patients infected with hepatitis C and connect them to treatment options at PHMC's five federally qualified health centers. The program was developed by the National Nursing Centers Consortium (NNCC), a PHMC affiliate.

Hepatitis C is a major cause of liver cancer and cirrhosis, and yet many infected adults are unaware they have the disease. At PHMC's five federally qualified health centers, an innovative initiative has expanded hepatitis C testing, diagnosis and linkage to care for those at high risk for infection, such as the homeless population and HIV patients. With CDC funding, NNCC integrated routine hepatitis C virus testing at the health centers. Testing was initiated and guided by the physician assistant, relieving the burden on the clinician. The testing confirmed HCV-antibody tests in one visit. A clinical coordinator then addressed barriers to treatment for those who are infected. Electronic medical records modifications improved linkage to care and simplified the payment process.

Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, put out by the CDC, recently published a journal article about the program, Identification and Linkage to Care of HCV-Infected Persons in Five Health Centers co-authored by Catelyn Coyle, Public Health Project Manager for NNCC.

Understanding that community health centers are uniquely positioned to address hepatitis C infections, PHMC has taken action to improve health among vulnerable populations.

The Philadelphia Inquirer also featured this innovative approach in treating Hepatitis C in urban areas in the article titled 'Philadelphia experiment reaches more Hepatitis C patients.'