Since December 2012, volunteers with a program called Do One Thing have been going door-to-door in some of Philadelphia's underserved neighborhoods to offer residents screenings and treatment for the hepatitis C virus.
Volunteers — including patient advocates, phlebotomists, physicians and social workers — have been going from one house to the next, offering screenings, performing rapid screening tests, and drawing blood for confirmation in individuals who tested positive.
Additionally, for individuals whose diagnoses were confirmed via blood work, the Do One Thing team offered them a full suite of services to assist patients with getting health insurance, accessing medical specialists and curing their virus.
As of February 2014, more than 1,300 Philadelphia area residents were tested and 4 percent were found to have anti-hepatitis C antibodies. More than 50 people tested positive for antibodies during the initial screening, yet only four were receiving hepatitis C virus care, according to the report.
The Do One Thing team has linked everyone who tested positive for the infection with a primary care physician and helped numerous individuals gain health insurance. The team has also been able to help 12 individuals through the entire process to receive medicine to cure their hepatitis.
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