Jorge Mera, MD, director of infectious disease at Cherokee Nation WW Hastings Hospital in Tahlequah, Okla., was one of the physicians honored at the White House on National Hepatitis Testing Day, May 19.
Dr. Mera was honored on behalf of Cherokee Nation's work to reduce the rates hepatitis C among Native Americans, a population highly vulnerable to infectious disease. According to the CDC, rates of acute hepatitis C between 2002 and 2010 among all racial populations other than American Indians and Native Alaskans remained below 0.5 cases per 100,000 people. Infection rates for these native populations have been consistently higher than those of other ethnicities.
Dr. Mera played a significant role in the launch of Cherokee Nation's program created to eliminate hepatitis C infections among the tribal population.
Karen B. DeSalvo, MD, acting assistant secretary of health at HHS, presented Dr. Mera with the award.
Dr. DeSalvo said, "Increasing testing for hepatitis B and C is a critical part of ensuring good health for all Americans...with coordinated efforts by diverse partners like those being recognized today, we can reduce deaths and disparities in hepatitis B and C and improve the lives of people living with chronic viral hepatitis."
The CDC recently characterized hepatitis C as the most deadly infectious disease in America. Since the launch of the elimination project, Cherokee Nation has screened more than 12,000 patients for hepatitis C. Among those testing positive, more than 300 have been treated and are considered cured, according to a release.
"The award is a wonderful recognition from the White House to all the Cherokee Nation providers, health professionals and administration for making this program a success in changing lives and combating hepatitis C," Dr. Mera said. "In the last couple of years we have tested thousands of patients and cured hundreds who suffer from the hepatitis C virus. We have a lot of work ahead, but I think we have made the invisible epidemic, now visible."
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