June 2018

Tulsa CARES receives BCBSOK grant for Hepatitis C care and prevention

Tulsa CARES was founded in 1991 as a community response to the growing need for coordinated HIV/AIDS care. Over the past two decades, Tulsa CARES has provided a compassionate response to the HIV epidemic as the HIV infection has evolved from a fatal illness to a manageable chronic health condition. 

Tulsa CARES has been known for providing unique, wrap-around care for those living with HIV/AIDS, providing services like intensive case management, access to testing and treatment and assistance with health insurance and prescription co-pays. They also address nutrition, housing and mental health needs.

Through the Healthy Kids, Healthy Families^® grant from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma, the organization has expanded their outreach and services and will now be able to assist those living with Hepatitis C virus (HCV).

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, an estimated 3.5 million people in the United States have chronic HCV, with Oklahoma having one of the highest rates per capita, while most are unaware of their infection.

Hepatitis C is a contagious liver disease that results from infection with the Hepatitis C virus. When first infected, a person can develop an “acute” infection, which can range in severity from a very mild illness with few or no symptoms to a serious condition requiring hospitalization, according to the Oklahoma State Department of Health.

Treatment has dramatically improved in recent years and the disease in now curable. However, those who struggle with income, access to medical care and have limited knowledge of HCV symptoms, are significantly more at risk for disease complications and can unknowingly pass the virus to others.

Tulsa CARES is committed to identifying individuals at risk of infection and potentially in need of early intervention. Tulsa CARES assists uninsured Oklahomans infected with HCV by addressing needs including access to testing and treatment, transportation, medication support, as well as providing case management. 

 “This project will help address the statewide challenge of adequately identifying the full scope of HCV in Oklahoma,” said Kate Neary, Chief Executive Officer at Tulsa CARES. “We are so pleased to receive this grant from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma and applaud their community investment and recognition of this need. We look forward to providing care for individuals in Tulsa affected by HCV through this partnership.”