Hepatitis C Virus (HCV)

1. A study by Baylor University Medical Center estimated that in 2005 over 355,000 people in Texas were infected with HCV.
   

2. Injection drug use was associated with more than three-quarters, or 79% of all positive Hepatitis C tests reported in Texas between 2000 and 2005, according to a study on Texas Hepatitis C counseling and testing published in Public Health Reports in 2007.
   

3. The United States Center for Disease Control estimates that 60% of all HCV cases are directly attributed to injection drug use.
   

4. Treatment of HCV averages around $30,000 annually per person according to Munich Re Group, one of the worlds leading health reinsurers.

Texas Statistics

The state of Texas has decided not to collect statistics regarding the rate and cost of Hepatitis C infections.  Because of this decision, we are not able to know the true numbers of Texans infected, nor the costs of treatment which can include liver transplants and lifelong dialysis treatment, among other treatments.

HIV & AIDS

by the Texas Department of State Health Services HIV/STD Program

1. Texas has the 4th highest HIV/AIDS rate in the nation, with more than 62,000 Texans living with HIV/AIDS.
   

2. One-third of HIV/AIDS cases can be traced to contaminated needles and syringes.
   

3. Nearly 5,000 Texans are diagnosed with HIV each year. One in three Texans newly diagnosed with HIV already has AIDS.
   

4. The current estimate for lifetime care of HIV/AIDS patietns is $618,900, which is expected to decline in the future to $385,200. Preventing new infections, catching infections earlier and getting infected people into care reduces the overall financial impact of the disease.
   

5. In 2007 the state of Texas spent over $50 million on HIV and STD prevention and care services.
   

6. 30% more Texans are living with HIV/AIDS than just five years ago. Longer survival means greater costs and challenges for HIV prevention and care.