Mobile Hepatitis C Testing Tour Bus Set to Make Five Stops in St. Louis and Kansas City, Missouri

JEFFERSON CITY, MO - The Missouri Department of Social Services MO HealthNet Division (MHD) is proud to announce the arrival of the ElimiNATION Awareness Tour in Missouri. The tour is part of the ongoing Project HepCure initiative, which aims to eliminate hepatitis C in the state.

In a press release from April 2024, MHD announced they have awarded a three-year contract to AbbVie, effective July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2027, to partner on MHDs Project HepCure.

The ElimiNATION Tour will offer complimentary screenings for hepatitis C at no cost, regardless of health insurance status. The tour aims to raise awareness around hepatitis C, and will travel to five locations across the state, bringing vital testing resources directly to those in need. The tour is part of a national program to educate the population about the importance of screening and linkage to care.

"MO HealthNet providers have made great strides in increasing their screening and testing for hepatitis C over the last three years, but our work isn't done yet," said MHD Pharmacy Director, Joshua Moore, PharmD. "MO HealthNet is excited to continue the partnership and have AbbVie bring the ElimiNATION Tour to Missouri and get more Missourians cured of their hepatitis C."

The screenings will take place from September 23 - October 2, 2024 at the following locations:

• Monday, 9/23, from 8:00am - 2:00pm at St. Patrick Center
• • 800 N Tucker Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63101
• Wednesday, 9/25, from 9:00am - 2:00pm at Wellston Loop
• • 1522 Hodiamont Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63112
• Thursday, 9/26, from 4:00pm - 8:00pm at MoNetwork
• • 4022 Broadway, St. Louis, MO 63118
• Tuesday, 10/1, from 9:00am - 5:00pm at Heartland Center for Behavioral Change
• • 1514 Campbell Street, Kansas City, MO 64108
• Wednesday, 10/2, from 7:30am - 2:00pm at City Union Mission Men's Shelter
• • 1108 E. 110th Street, Kansas City, MO 64106

In partnership with local organizations, the tour will also facilitate linkage to care for individuals who test positive for the virus.

"We're proud to work with Missouri public health officials to find and reach patients with hepatitis C and connect them to care, bringing us one step closer to HCV elimination," said Katherine Kosch, Senior Scientific Director, Medical Affairs, AbbVie. "Early diagnosis of HCV infection is crucial, and we're committed to supporting local communities to help eliminate the barriers that make elimination difficult."

Hepatitis C is a viral infection that can lead to severe liver damage, cirrhosis, and liver cancer. Many individuals don't have symptoms and are unaware they have the virus until it has caused serious health issues, making early detection and treatment crucial.

Join us in the fight against hepatitis C. Together, we can create a healthier Missouri.

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