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Heather French Foundation for Veterans, Inc.

Heather French Foundation for Veterans, Inc. Our Mission: Homelessness Healthcare Education Legislation Benefits. Health Education. Hepatitis C Type II Diabetes Prostate Cancer PTSD. Hepatitis C. Heather French Foundation for Veterans, Inc. Operation Veterans’ Health

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Heather French Foundation for Veterans, Inc.

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  1. Heather French Foundation for Veterans, Inc.

  2. Our Mission: • Homelessness • Healthcare • Education • Legislation • Benefits

  3. Health Education • Hepatitis C • Type II Diabetes • Prostate Cancer • PTSD

  4. Hepatitis C Heather French Foundation for Veterans, Inc. Operation Veterans’ Health Department of Veterans Affairs

  5. F.Y.I. • According to the N.I.H. over 4 million Americans are infected with Hepatitis C. • Only 5% know they are infected. • Of the 4 million infected more than 3 million will go on to chronic infection. • Currently, the cost of Hep C is $600 million annually.

  6. Hepatitis C Facts • Discovered in 1989 with FDA approved testing in 1992 • Can take 20-30 years to show up • Secondary condition may be diabetes • Can be treated

  7. Veterans

  8. “Veterans are 5x more at risk than the general population due to risk factors associated with military service.” * Kenneth W. Kizer, M.D., M.P.H., Under Secretary for Health, U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs, Testimony before U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Veterans Affairs, April 15, 1999.

  9. According to studies done by the Department of Veterans Affairs 10-20% of all inpatient population is infected with Hepatitis C. • According to private screenings up to 36% of veterans tested were infected with Hepatitis C.

  10. Hepatitis C is Now Epidemic in Veterans. • In U.S. Veterans: • March 1999: 26,000 VA patients were tested for Hepatitis - 8-10% had Hepatitis C • VA Hospital - Washington, DC 1998: 20% of inpatients had Hepatitis C • VA Hospital, San Francisco 1998: 10% of inpatients had Hepatitis C • Kenneth W. Kizer, M.D., M.P.H., Under Secretary for Health, U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs, Testimony before U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Veterans Affairs, April 15, 1999. • Under Secretary of Health’s Information Letter, Hepatits C Standards for Provider Evaluation and Testing, Kenneth W. Kizer, M.D., M.P.H., June 11, 1998, Pg. 1.

  11. Vietnam Veterans = 63-64% • Post Vietnam era = 18% • Korean Era = 5% • Post Korean Era = 4.2% • Gulf War = 3% • Other = 3% * Recommendations for Prevention and Treatment of Hepatitis C Virus and HCV-Related Chronic Disease, MMWR, CDC, Oct. 16, 1998, Pgs.1

  12. Blood to blood contact Transfusions Tattoos Shared Toothbrush Jet Injectors Medical Contact (Medics Etc.) Hemodialysis (Blood filtering) IV Drug Use Sexual Contact Risk Factors Before 1992

  13. Myth: Only urban drug addicts get hepatitis through contaminated needles. Reality: Anyone can get hepatitis anywhere, and without doing anything wrong. The virus has crossed all boundaries of race, gender, and social class.

  14. I.V. Drug Use & Vietnam Veterans A CDC study of the health status of Vietnam veterans found that only 3% had used “hard drugs” defined as risk factors for Hepatitis C.* * “Health Status of Vietnam Veterans.” Vol. 1, Synopsis. The Center for Disease Control. Vietnam Experience Study. US Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service. January 1989.

  15. Veterans and Hepatitis C... • Shots with the air gun • Carried wounded men and women to the MEDEVAC ship in Vietnam • Shared razors or toothbrushes • Moved or carried KIA or the VC KIA • Got first tattoo ANY BLOOD TO BLOOD CONTACT IN SERVICE?

  16. Blood Transfusions Between March 1967 and June 1969, over 364,000 transfusions were given in Vietnam.* * “Information Concerning Vietnam.” Armed Services Blood Program Offic. Office of Health Affairs, Department of Defense. July 24, 1998.

  17. What We Need to Do?

  18. Make all Veterans aware of health issues that affect them. • Have them enroll into the VA health care program • File claims with the VA for compensation • Be pro-active. • Remove the Stigma about Hepatitis C. • Partner with other agencies to spread the awareness.

  19. What Have We Done?

  20. Operation Veterans’ Health 2005 • Louisville, KY • Cincinnati, Ohio • Houston, TX • Buffalo, NY • American Legion National Convention • Educating veterans nationwide about: • Hepatitis C • Type II Diabetes • Prostate Cancer • PTSD

  21. Hepatitis C Mobile by VATA

  22. Veterans’ Health Screenings 2000-2003 Louisville, KY Miami, FL Chicago, IL New York City, NY Washington, D.C. Buffalo, NY Rochester, NY Albany, NY Syracuse, NY

  23. The Power of the Dream

  24. Politically Involved

  25. Washington, D.C. Frankfort, KY Lansing, MI

  26. Heather French Henry Homeless Veterans Assistance Act of 2001

  27. Connors High School, Northern KY Duro Bags Wal-Mart Stores

  28. Realize the Importance of Hepatitis C awareness. • Recognize Veterans as a “special population” of those infected and at risk. • Diminish the stigma surrounding Hepatitis C by recognizing that a vast majority of veterans infected became so because of their “honorable” service to our nation.

  29. Heather French Foundation for Veterans, Inc Thank you for your time and patience!

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