Column by Prof. Alicia Suarez Addresses Misconceptions About Hepatitis C

August 19, 2015

"Through harm reduction, accurate information, increased public discourse, reducing stigma, and access to treatment, we can address the HCV epidemic," writes Alicia Suarez, associate professor of sociology at DePauw University, in today's edition of Indiana's Bloomington Herald-Times.

In the introduction to the professor's guest column, the newspaper notes, "Suarez has published scholarly articles about hepatitis C, is on the National Viral Hepatitis Roundtable Steering Commitee, has been a long-time advocate and activist and has presented her research at numerous professional and academic conferences. Finally, she had hepatitis C."

Dr. Suarez states, "As a published scholar on Hepatitis C virus (HCV), long time HCV advocate/activist and former patient, I am thrilled that the H-T is giving attention to the most common blood borne pathogen in the United States affecting 3 to 5 million Americans. HCV is what I call, 'culturally invisible,' as there is a lack of discourse as well as pervasive stigma Newspapers 011 associated with fear of transmission and association with injection drug use. Due to the dearth of public knowledge, I am most concerned about misinformation regarding modes of transmission."