Dr. King and her team are accessing data in the HRDP-SK!

The Virtual Cascade of Care Cohort (VCCC) is a pan-Canadian ‘virtual cohort’ study to document and analyze the hepatitis C virus (HCV) cascade of care in diverse groups of people with current or past injection drug use experience. Led by Dr. Alexandra King, the Saskatchewan component places a particular emphasis on engaging with Indigenous participants and will combine in-person questionnaires and HCV screening tests with health data, covering a five-year window. The VCCC study aims to map the full continuum of HCV care while identifying key characteristics that are presented as barriers and facilitators to care in this population. In addition, the study will explore how determinants of health, including inadequate housing, involvement with the correctional system and substance use, impact access to care. 

 The VCCC study will also examine health care utilization patterns, long-term health outcomes and the costs associated with HCV care in this population. The findings will guide public health strategies, inform simulation models for policy planning and support Canada's goal of eliminating HCV as a public health threat by 2030.